All World All Sports Blog

All World All Sports

-Digger's Daily-

Tne New York Daily News (4/30/09) published excerpts from a new book written by Selena Roberts called "A-Rod".

More steroids talk to haunt ARod. Timing couldn't have been any better for boo-birds as ARod's disabled list stint is about ready to end. "A-Rod", the book, will be released on May 12 filled with plenty of ammunition for naysayers. ARod, the player, will have hundreds of thousands boo-birds hounding him in every baseball city upon being activated from the disabled list (probably the same week). NY fans will let him hear it too if the Yanks faulter.

I've read a few juicy tidbits released in today's Daily News column and listened comments by sports tv personalities. Apparantly, after ARod's press conference where spoke of his experimental time frame... those in the know questioned his accuracy and honesty. Eventually, a select few crossed paths with Roberts providing plenty of details for her "A-Rod" 250 page expose.

I was surprised only by one claim. AFraud was taking 'roids dating back to his high school playing days. If this holds true, then he's a complete fraud who should be denied Hall of Fame status. A handful of sportswriters who double as Hall of Fame voters have already said there's no way they could ever vote for a lifetime user. I hope it stands up when it's time for ballots to be counted. Rodriguez only admitted to experimenting while playing for Texas and stopped using in 2004. The book questions his statements and provides guilty by association blurbs such as ARod keeping company as recently as 2008 with Angel Presinal. Presinal has been banned from major league facilities after a steroids incident in 2001. (BTW, if MLB banned Persinal in 2001... how in the world can they claim, in front of a congressional committee, no one knew players were abusing?????????).

So, just when baseball believed it had successfully put the growth hormone/steroids scandal on the back burner... here comes "A-Rod" filled with more accusations by "unnamed sources". Funny thing about unnamed sources is most times, when relating to politics, I believe it's just a reporters way of injecting personal opinion. However, when it comes to sports reporting, these unnamed sources hit stories out of the park with their accuracy. Remember how Jose Canseco was bashed for writing his book outing players? He was called a money hungry lying thug only looking to promote his book. Until.... one by one outed players who denied (McGwire, Palmeiro) were to be proven liars. Remember during the McGwire/Sosa homer record chase stories questioned their validity? (McGwire was using a supplement at the time). Barry Bonds & BALCO.

I think more people will view the newest revelations as who cares? For sports fans, it confirms what most of us think about ballplayers from the 90's. Large numbers were guilty of using but, everyone was in the know.

Here's a few quotes/recaps of the book pasted from today's Daily News (bold) with my thoughts following:

"-In one shocking disclosure, the book accuses A-Rod of "pitch tipping" when he was with the Rangers - letting a friendly opponent at the plate know which pitch was coming in lopsided games." I'm sure ARod's ex-mates are thrilled to be hearing this one. At what point did AFraud think a game was out of hand to warrant tipping pitches from his teammates to opposing hitters? Especially, when he played for the slugging Texas Rangers who were capable of overcoming big deficits. This is cheating. Next news will accuse him of betting on these games?
"-Rodriguez expected players he helped would do the same for him when he was having an off night and needed to get his batting average up and it wouldn't affect the outcome of the game." I certainly hope there weren't any opposing players tipping off ARod... unless they were trying to trick him. These two allegations will need to be confirmed by reliable sources for me to fully believe. It also deserves attention from MLB investigations. Yet, it doesn't seem too far fetched.
"-The 255-page book also chronicles A-Rod's off-the-field escapades: his poker habit; his divorce from his wife, Cynthia; the relationship with Madonna, and dalliances with out-of-town floozies." This part is the juicy stuff tying everything together including a mention of his me-me-me mentality often spoken about by ex-teamers. It's not anything I care about other than gambling. ARod was heavily chastised for frequenting illegal late night poker games.. often before ball games. Has to make you wonder if he was ever approached to throw a game or two?

ARod will be needing earplugs during the season. All of his stats are now called into question. Not just the Texas years... everything. Roberts seems to be well respected in her field. Sports Illustrated writers have been known for breaking big in depth stories. On the surface, Roberts might be right on target. I think this book will contain plenty of supported truths, references and a few items left to reader's imaginations.

Bonds, McGwire, Canseco, ARod... some of the games biggest bashers of the 90's - 00's... had a little help and were rewarded with truckloads of money. Ah, baseball's HGH/'roids soap opera keeps on trucking. I'm guessing it will for many years. Even though many of us say "who cares" or "tell me something new" on the outside... whenever new allegations surface or sources become confirmed about big name and home town players... we follow the story. Players doping was so widespread the gossip will last for years to come. Surging again when the cheats become eligible for Hall of Fame consideration.

Irony. Most of these guys wanted to be so liked. Daydreaming of becoming baseball heroes when they were kids. Heroes who broke records of the games greatest players. Heroes whose names became synonymous with the games greatest. Heroes who won big World Series games. So much for self indulged heroes. Now, many will be remembered via ridicule for generations. Liars, cheaters and dopers. Baseball fans have witnessed tremendous games during the past two decades. It's too bad so many positives will forever be darkened by an forever hanging cloud of artificial influences.

(www.allworldallsports.com)

All World All Sports

-Digger's Daily-

NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Conference Semi-Final matchups are set. There were two great series which lasted the full seven games. Washington stormed back from a 3 games to 1 deficit to send the New York Rangers home to weep. New Jersey was stunned in Game 7 as they blew a lead (and the series) in the final minute to Carolina. Speaking of stunned, Western Conference regular season champion San Jose was knocked off by 8th seed Anaheim.

Semi-Final Predictions (team news on NHL.com)
Eastern Conference:
Boston Bruins vs Carolina Hurricanes - Boston's well rested after a sweeping Montreal. On paper, Carolina is no match. Especially after a grueling seven game series vs Devils. Bruins in 5.

Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins - I suggest making sure to set aside time to check out these games. This has the makings of an epic playoff series. This matchup showcases NHL's top 3 scorers (Evgeni Malkin, Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, plus two of the three Hart Trophy finalists in Malkin and Ovechkin). The Caps almost got knocked off by NY until they snapped out of an early series funk. Pittsburgh got tough vs Flyers and won in 6. The shots will be flying. Goaltenders hold the keys. Washington in 7.

Western Conference:
Detroit Red Wings vs Anaheim Ducks - Detroit needs to thank Anaheim for displacing San Jose. Is it clear sailing for the Wings? I think so. They're too playoff savvy but they better not take the Ducks for granted. Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller was outstanding vs Sharks and will need to duplicate vs Detroit. Not likely. Wings fans were nervous of Osgood before he proved naysayers wrong and returned to his former stellar playoff goaltending. Wings in 5.

Vancouver Canucks vs Chicago Blackhawks - This series will be the end of the road for both teams when Detroit prevails vs Anaheim. Neither has what it takes to beat the wings. However, Vancouver and Chicago will lock horns in a rough battle. These teams are evenly matched. Chicago prevails but will be gassed after this 7 game series and in no shape to challenge Detroit.

I'm thinking the Finals will feature Boston vs Detroit squaring off in one of the NHL's greatest Finals ever.

(www.allworldallsports.com)