Manny Being Stupid

May 7, 2009May 23, 2010Danny Vinik 4 Comments

Major League Baseball announced today that Los Angeles Dodgers left-fielder Manny Ramirez has tested positive for steroids and will begin serving a 50-game suspension tonight.

Wow. Wow. Wow.

This actually surprises me more than Alex Rodriguez’s admission of steroid use. Manny. He has such a fluid swing and perfect balance. You watch him swing a bat and I honestly never considered him as a steroid-user since his swing was so perfect. I never suspected his power, because his swing was so powerful that I assumed it could generate it.

Well, I was wrong and this leads me to ask a whole new series of questions. Before this, the league, fans, and media abided by the policy, “innocent until proven guilty”. If you weren’t connected to steroids, you were assumed to have been clean. I don’t think that’s the case anymore. How can anyone be above suspicion when the two greatest hitters in baseball have been caught in the last two months? Now, it is “guilty until proven innocent”. Continue reading “Manny Being Stupid” →

Barca Tops Chelsea In Thriller

May 7, 2009May 23, 2010Danny Vinik 1 Comment

inesta

Now that is a soccer game. Andres Iniesta scored in the 93rd minute to send Barcelona into the final of the UEFA Champions League against Manchester United. Down 1-0 entering the final minutes of the match, Barca seemed to be all but dead, but the precise strike from Iniesta changed their fortune and sent Chelsea home shocked.

There were a lot of big calls by the officials during this matchup including the red card on Eric Abidal in the 66th minute and the non-call on a possible hand ball in the 95th minute after Iniesta’s goal. And yet, the right team won in the end. The red card was a terrible call. Abidal did not touch Drogba. It was a complete flop and did not deserve even a foul call whatsoever (well maybe on Drogba for diving). The hand-ball call was a better call. A shot from Michael Ballack struck off Samuel Eto’o’s arm, but it was clearly unintentional as the Eto’o had his back to the ball. Ballack and Chelsea protested profusely, but referee Tom Ovrebo would have none of it.

He called the game and Barcelona walked away with a win. Continue reading “Barca Tops Chelsea In Thriller” →

Can Anyone Stop The Cavs?

May 6, 2009May 23, 2010Danny Vinik 1 Comment

Hawks Cavaliers Basketball The Cleveland Cavaliers dismantled the Atlanta Hawks last night, 99-72, in what will likely be a four-game sweep. This win was impressive on so many levels. Before even getting to LeBron and the steady offense of the Cavs, let’s look at the defense, which is what really wins championships.

Atlanta entered yesterday’s game averaging 87.3 points per game in their first round series. So holding them to 72 points is very impressive, especially considering the Hawks didn’t shoot that badly (28 of 64 – 43.8%). However, the Cavs forced 17 turnovers, including 12 steals. The game was close at halftime at 49-44, but then Cleveland amped up the defense. Atlanta only had 28 points in the entire second half. Wow.

We saw with the Celtics last year that defense wins championships. With Cleveland holding opponents to just 76.8 points per game, they are well on their way to bringing an NBA Championship home.

Now, to the part of the Cavs that really is anyone watches. LeBron James. He just won his first MVP award and continues to prove just how good he is. He played just 34 minutes in the win yesterday and scored 34 easy points. He shot just 20 shots, making 12 of them, and was 8 of 9 from the free throw line. He grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out 3 assists, and had 4 steals. All in a night’s work. Best of all, he made it look easy. Continue reading “Can Anyone Stop The Cavs?” →