I Missed It..

My Last post regarding Manny Ramirez going into the hall of fame I wrote from the heart. I had forgotten what happened last year with the 50 game suspension for using steroids. That does change thing quite a bit. Manny is still a great player and truly has put up hall of fame numbers, getting caught in the steroid age of the game of baseball isn't the worst thing to happen to a player. One because most of the guy's were still competing according to the rules of the game and baseball hadn't band the drug until the mid 90's I'm guessing. I would go so far as saying that the game promoted the use of steroids to save the game after the strike of 1994. We all remember CHICKS DIG THE LONG BALL! The problem I have with Manny is that 2009 year to test positive, that is cheating to get your advantage.
It surprises me that guy's would take that chance today, there is so much media surrounding the steroid talk writer can't wait to write about it. For the player, I guess if you can get away with it and it help your game and you get the multi-year contract you've accomplished your goal. Baseball is so much more than that though. As a player, TO USE you are thinking short term or long term? Is it worth it? I don't have that answer for you....You will have to ask the guy's that are dealing with the repercussions. Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and a host of others. Sammy Sosa has tried to turn himself white! Big Mac went underground for a while because of the pressure. The pressure that is place on these guy after they are exposed is so heavy do you think they would do things different? Mark McGwire would have never played in enough games to put up the numbers he put up. He was a great player, I could go on and on and on but this needs to be put to bed. Getting back on target Will Manny get your vote for the hall? My stand now is he can't go in UNLESS all the other guy's get in the hall of fame..... including Pete Rose.
to be continued...
leftside

Camelback Ranch is the Real Deal

I made it over to Camelback Ranch after church to take a look at the new home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Whitesox. Pitchers and Catchers made it to Arizona on Friday and broke the ice with some PFP and batting practice. Some fields you can see fresh sod laid out needing a couple of weeks to take root before it will be ready to have live bodies cutting and slashing on the infield diamond. They still have some work to do but Camelback Ranch is one nice place. They actually have a lake that runs through the middle of the complex, baseball and fishing... what a concept. To my surprise I was recognized as I walked toward the field so I signed a few things... that felt good. Camelback Ranch Cactus League baseball with the Dodgers, that has a great ring to it.

Mike Davis

Jeff Kent Retires From Baseball

After 17 years in the majors Jeff Kent calls it quits. What a great career and a great player. Jeff finishes his career with a .290 avg 377 home runs and over 1500 RBI. Named to 5 all star teams Jeff is truly a candidate for the hall of fame and will be remembered for his run ends with Barry Bonds. Jeff is truly a great players who thought he didn't get the respect he deserved. When you have super stars in the line up with Jeff, he wanted to be on the same level with them and hated people saying that the great players like bonds and Ramirez made him better. Everybody in baseball knew this was the case but Jeff always took it the wrong way like he was less than . In spite of the little things his confidence in his ability made him great. Jeff Kent had a great major league career and I wish him the very best.

Mike Davis

Yankee's Get Sabathia for $161M

Congratulations to CC Sabathia! Who signs the riches contract for a pitcher in the history of baseball. 161 Million dollars is a lot of money and the going rate for one of the top pitchers in the league. A lot of you out there reading this blog might be thinking… “That is ridiculous”
How can you pay one player that kind of money? Listen up, you can do it yourselves… all CC Sabathia did was excel at his craft. He was OUTSTANDING and when you are OUTSTANDING, when you stand out above all the rest… you get all the rewards. You see it in sports all the time. Why do we know David Beckham? Wrong answer: (the movie Bend it Like Beckham) David Beckham excelled in soccer, he was OUTSTANDING he stood out above all the rest… how did they reward him? With one of the richest contracts in the history of Soccer! Brought him to LA, promised him movie deals and a number of other endorsement. Why because he was OUTSTANDING! Another example: Michael Phelps 8 Olympic Gold Medals. Michael Phelps is an American Hero why? 8 Olympic gold Medals he was OUTSTANDING he stood above everyone in the sport of swimming for two straight weeks and excelled at his craft above everyone in the history of the sport. Was he rewarded for it? In a huge way!
Congratulations! Again to CC Sabathia, not because of the huge contract but if you ever sat down with this guy he is an awesome person, the kind of guy you wish the very best for, he gives back to the community and is just a special person. The Yankee’s received a true diamond that will impact the team, the community and their bottom line of winning. CC displays the Spirit of a Champion I wish the Dodgers could have made a play for him but if we can get Manny… lookout for Big Blue.

Mike Davis