sandcrabs August 5th, 2008
It’s been a while since my fans, or is it my fan, have read some of my musings. I apologize to the individual who Diggs these blogs. I know you’ve been waiting for some of the great wisdom that I’ve been bottling up, and hopefully I won’t disappoint…..fat chance.
With a spate of off-season, in-season and pre-season activities several stand out as a testament to the depths taken to establish a heirarchy of idiocy. Those actions that makes one shake their head and wonder how big of a spectacle professional athletes can make themselves. There is never a shortage of fodder as these overpaid, spoiled rotten mopes misbehave and prove that the cream doesn’t always rise to the top. I would like to take a few moments and pass out butthead awards for the more memorable morons.
Just to get it over with, because I’m so sick of hearing about it, I’ll start with the Brett Favre situation. Both sides deserve butthead designation. For the last several years Favre has been as commital as a Nevada prostitute with a marriage proposal. First he wants to retire, then he doesn’t. Changes his mind again, then decides he wants to give it another shot. Holy crap! Make up your mind and stick with it. Such a scene was made coming down the strech of last season. Tearing up each time it was thought “this is it” got a little old. There seemed to be some sincerity at the press conference announcing retirement, going so far as to say you didn’t have the desire. A few months later the desire magically reappeared? I know a person has the right to change their mind, but couldn’t you make a decision in the last 3 years?
Packers’ management wasn’t much better. I mean come on, he’s Brett freakin’ Favre! Open competition at quaterback? Who are you kidding. He’s Brett freakin’ Favre! The best thing management could have done was to keep their mouths shut. “No comment” would have been a much better thing to say than to live the illusion that Aaron Rodgers should be competing with Favre for the starting position. I mean, he’s Brett freakin’ Favre! Both sides deserve a butthead for this one.
Baseball has long been sprinkled with dugout confrontations. Who can forget Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent. Or the legendary squabbles between Billy Martin and Reggie Jackson. Those were really sweet, weren’t they? However, the recent dispute between Prince (are you kidding me?) Fielder and pitcher Manny Parra not only doesn’t quite measure up to those classic confrontations, but is a little disturbing in how it went down. To set the stage, Manny Parra was lifted for a pinch hitter. As with most competitors Parra was a little miffed about being taken out of the game. Sources indicate that he wanted to retreat to the clubhouse but that Fielder got into his face about it. First off, I commend Fielder for stepping up and saying something to a teammate who is obviously pouting about being removed from the game. On the surface one would think he did the right thing. However, after “discussing” their points of view Fielder attacked Parra in the dugout. It took 4 players to get Fielder off Parra and keep him away. Did he just discover Parra was a child murderer of something? Nothing should set off such rage. In one fell swoop Fielder went from leader to butthead. There was no need to jump your pitcher like that. Parra was obviously not expecting it and the actions were completely unwarranted. And of course, nobody’s talking except to say it’s an internal matter. Making a member of your team stay on the bench through a difficult loss does show the makings of a leader. However, resorting to violence to get your point across is immature and not the sign of somebody who you would want to represent your organization. There have been rumors as to the attitude of Fielder and this episode illustrates how this talented individual really isn’t that much of a team player. Have a butthead. You deserve it.
Staying with baseball, has there been a more bizarre series of events the preceded Manny Ramirez being traded? As I’ve stated before, Manny being Manny has been a sorry excuse that has gone on for too long. Finally, the Red Sox agreed. Somebody who fakes an injury in an effort to make a point shows that indivual has absolutely no integrity whatsoever. Obviously Manny thinks only of himself and not his teammates. How can somebody who is supposed to be a professional put their own petty thoughts above the greater need, which is to win. That’s what professional sports are all about. You win as a team, you lose as a team. Except in this case Manny is the loser. Why? After the trade reports have surfaced that his agent, the notorious Scott Boras, advised the Red Sox that if they dropped the last year of Manny’s contract, which was a team option, then there would be no more misbehaving from his client. Are you kidding me? This is absolute proof that this wasn’t a case of Manny being Manny but a calculated move to be a disruptive presence in order to get your way. Again, immature and the actions of an individual, not a team player. Since the trade Manny has been on a tear. Lack of integrity and character are not values that should be present in somebody many feel is a lock for the Hall of Fame. Mark McGwire is being blocked from the Hall for speculation. You can be assured that he would have never exhibited this type of behavior. What a twisted view those voters must have if they’d disqualify one of the greats because of accusations but seem intent on voting in somebody who has no concern for anything except himself. For Manny being Manny, here’s your butthead.
Finally, we’re brought to somebody who has been annointed with a special honor only to sully it since. Previously I wrote about how Ray Allen should be the example that all in the NBA should follow. That posting was greeted by “Mark” who had a fabulous beginning to a rambling that can be compared to an addict who has discovered his methadone has run out. Calling me an idiot was a witty and well thought comeback. I’m still stinging from that one. By the way “Mark”. I’ve used some pretty big words this time, with complete sentances and everything. I sure hope you’ve been able to keep up. But I digress. (Sorry “Mark”. Another fancy word.) Paul Pierce was crowned NBA Finals MVP. What has he done since to “represent”? Plenty. First there was the comments made about being the best player in the NBA. Seriously? It took a couple of major trades to bring you a title. Kobe Bryant took his team to the finals with a much less talented supporting cast. Now, don’t get me wrong. I really don’t like Kobe. I’m not a Lakers’ fan (anymore) and have absolutely no allegiance to LA. One does not have to be enamored with a player to recognize talent. Larry Bird used to piss me off. He would stand in the corner and swish just about everything he put up. It drove me nuts. However, I always knew larry Legend was one of the best ever to play the game. I didn’t like him, but I respected his game. Same with Kobe. Before Pierce should start proclaiming his greatness he needs to take a look at the talent well ahead of him. LeBron James anybody? By the way, Paul, where will you be spending the next few weeks. In China? I didn’t think so. The latest incident occurred during a traffic stop in Las Vegas. Pierce’s behavior was such that police felt the need to handcuff him. No citations were issued and Pierce was released. However, his actions were not representative of somebody who has received one of the NBA’s highest honors. does anybody believe that Ray Allen would have acted this way? I didn’t think so.
This list is by no means all inclusive. There are examples of buttheadedness that occur on a consistent basis. It would take a full website and a team of full-time bloggers to document every instance. There are just instances that have stuck in my mind recently. Rest assured, with the amount of money thrown around and the lack of character that many professional athletes possess there will continue to be actions added to the list.
