Seems the Yankees have taken the hard stance and told Alex Rodriguez that they would only negotiate with him and not with his agent, Scott Boras. Boras, in my opinion, is destroying sports with his heavy-handed negotiating style. We all know that Boras talked Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks into signing A-Rod to that 252-million deal back in 2000. Hicks has been on the hook for over 21-million per year of the contract since shipping Rodriguez off to New York 4 years ago.
When A-Rod opted out of his contract during the World Series, it relieved Hicks of his responsibility in the contract. Hicks had to be doing cartwheels upon hearing that news. Now, it's not like we should feel sorry for Hicks. He, of course, leveraged his whole organization with the A-Rod deal and since, hasn't been able to put a competitive team on the field.
Back to the Yankees and their negotiations with A-Rod. After thinking about it, New York was the only place Rodriguez had a chance of securing the type of money he, and his agent, wanted. No other team in baseball has the ablility to pay the money A-Rod is worth and still be able to put a competitive team around him. Even though it will be a staggering amount, (some sources say 10-years at 300-million), the Yankees will be able to compete at the highest level, and won't settle for the first round exits they have suffered the past few seasons under Joe Torre.
The sons of Steinbrenner, Hank and Hal, are chips off the old block (George) and will do whatever is possible to bring championships back to New York. Like the old Who song, "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss..."
Around the area, kudos to the Cowley women's volleyball squad making it back for another shot at a National Championship this week in Arizona.
South Haven's Cardinal football team taking on Sharon Springs for the 8-man Division II championship this Saturday at Newton. I have been contemplating heading up to watch this game against staying home to watch KU vs Iowa State. I think I am leaning toward going to Newton. These games don't happen very often in our part of the world. I think this could be a real close game as both teams come in ranked #1 and #2. Good luck Cardinals!!
In basketball, KU and K-State are starting out strong this season. KU lost leading scorer and point guard, Sherron Collins with a stress fracture in his left foot. On the plus side, Brandon Rush is set to return, following ligament surgery earlier this summer. A couple of freshman, guard Tyrel Reed from Burlington, and center Cole Aldrich from Minnesota, have looked good so far in the early going.
Over in Manhattan, get ready for the Michael Beasley era. Beasley averaged a double-double (points and rebounds) in the first two games for the Wildcats, including a monster 32-24 effort in the first game. Beasley could be the second coming of Kevin Durant this season if he keeps that up. Unfortunately, we will probably only get to experience this kid for one season. If he stays healthy, he will be getting paid to play next year in the Association.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007
Pursuit of Perfection
Back just in time for the weekend looking forward to a healthy plate full of sports viewing the next couple days.
It has certainly been a refreshing football season, with two teams that I have invested time with this season. Writing for the Traveler as a corrospondent, covering the two small high schools in our area, both Dexter and South Haven, I have seen both ends of the spectrum. Dexter has experienced some lean times in football the past few years with injuries and lack of participation taking their toll.
The South Haven Cardinals ran the table in the SCBL this season and advaced through the first two rounds of the state tournament unscathed. They face a Hope team tonight that has a great deal of tradition and experience in these games on it's side. Hope has played in the semi-finals 5 of the past 6 seasons. The Cardinals were tested last week, trailing 14-6 heading into the second half before pulling away 42-22 behind Jake Davidson's 200-plus rushing performance. Let's hope last week's adversity works as an advantage for South Haven in their contest tonight.
Davidson said publically that he wants to put the team on his back and I have no doubt that Jake will do everything in his power to lead this team into next week's championship game. Moving Davidson to tailback was a stroke of genius by coach David Hughes as it can help free the quicker Derrick Spencer on mis-direction plays from the fullback position. A great strategy with starting tailback Cass Myers out for the rest of the season with the broken leg.
Hughes has quite the winning streak going when you consider that his teams have not lost since late October last year. When you combine the South Haven girls undefeated State Championship team at 28-0 and this year's football team at 11-0 and counting, with basketball right around the corner, it will be interesting to see how far the streak will go.
Also of interest this weekend will be college football in Kansas as KU at #4 in the latest BCS poll travels to Stillwater to take on Oklahoma State. A little concerned with the Jayhawk defense this week against the Cowboys, especially pass defense. The 'Hawks gave up 39 points against Nebraska a week ago, even though all the talk was about the Huskers giving up 76. OSU has one of the better passing attacks with Adarius Bowman at receiver and quarterback Zac Robinson throwing for almost 2000-yards on the season.
KU needs to take care of business this week and next against Iowa State with the Border Showdown against Mizzou looming in two weeks. It's almost inconceivable but possible that the Jayhawks could play for a National Championship this season.....IN FOOTBALL!!!
K-State has a chance to get well and make up for the stinker they laid against Iowa State last week. The Wildcats can drive the final nails in the coaching coffin of Bill Callahan if they can beat Nebraska in Lincoln tomorrow afternoon. It's almost surreal to think that both Kansas teams could beat Nebraska in the same year after the Husker dominance that I grew up with.
Will return Monday with a follow-up on the results of this weekend
It has certainly been a refreshing football season, with two teams that I have invested time with this season. Writing for the Traveler as a corrospondent, covering the two small high schools in our area, both Dexter and South Haven, I have seen both ends of the spectrum. Dexter has experienced some lean times in football the past few years with injuries and lack of participation taking their toll.
The South Haven Cardinals ran the table in the SCBL this season and advaced through the first two rounds of the state tournament unscathed. They face a Hope team tonight that has a great deal of tradition and experience in these games on it's side. Hope has played in the semi-finals 5 of the past 6 seasons. The Cardinals were tested last week, trailing 14-6 heading into the second half before pulling away 42-22 behind Jake Davidson's 200-plus rushing performance. Let's hope last week's adversity works as an advantage for South Haven in their contest tonight.
Davidson said publically that he wants to put the team on his back and I have no doubt that Jake will do everything in his power to lead this team into next week's championship game. Moving Davidson to tailback was a stroke of genius by coach David Hughes as it can help free the quicker Derrick Spencer on mis-direction plays from the fullback position. A great strategy with starting tailback Cass Myers out for the rest of the season with the broken leg.
Hughes has quite the winning streak going when you consider that his teams have not lost since late October last year. When you combine the South Haven girls undefeated State Championship team at 28-0 and this year's football team at 11-0 and counting, with basketball right around the corner, it will be interesting to see how far the streak will go.
Also of interest this weekend will be college football in Kansas as KU at #4 in the latest BCS poll travels to Stillwater to take on Oklahoma State. A little concerned with the Jayhawk defense this week against the Cowboys, especially pass defense. The 'Hawks gave up 39 points against Nebraska a week ago, even though all the talk was about the Huskers giving up 76. OSU has one of the better passing attacks with Adarius Bowman at receiver and quarterback Zac Robinson throwing for almost 2000-yards on the season.
KU needs to take care of business this week and next against Iowa State with the Border Showdown against Mizzou looming in two weeks. It's almost inconceivable but possible that the Jayhawks could play for a National Championship this season.....IN FOOTBALL!!!
K-State has a chance to get well and make up for the stinker they laid against Iowa State last week. The Wildcats can drive the final nails in the coaching coffin of Bill Callahan if they can beat Nebraska in Lincoln tomorrow afternoon. It's almost surreal to think that both Kansas teams could beat Nebraska in the same year after the Husker dominance that I grew up with.
Will return Monday with a follow-up on the results of this weekend
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
