Some Thoughts

The Greatest of All Time
My favorite baseball player, Rickey Henderson, earned almost 95% of the total votes possible to earn entry into MLB’s Hall of Fame on the first ballot. This begs the question – What happened to the “5% moron class” that voted NO?

Henderson is the greatest leadoff hitter of all time, he’s the greatest base stealer of all-time, scored more runs than anyone who has ever played the game, hit more home runs from the lead-off spot than anyone in history, won several Gold Gloves, etc…etc…

Yes, he was a little quirky, to say the least. He liked to play cards in the clubhouse after being taken out of a game instead of playing cheerleader on the bench. And yes, he liked to refer to himself in the “third person” – with the exception of when he set the stolen base record, saying “Today, I am the greatest of all-time.” That was classis!

The point is he wasn’t busted for steroids, didn’t bet on games, did not abuse his wife or children, and wasn’t constantly being picked up for drug/gun possession. He was different and likely rubbed some reporters the wrong way. That is no reason to keep him out.

He earned first time entry and then some. That 5% that voted NO reinforces my belief that some in the media don’t know whether it’s blown up or stuffed and should be doing drywall work instead.

HOF
How does Jim Rice get into the HOF and Andre Dawson doesn’t?

Rice, a terrific offensive player during his time, deserved it. But Dawson, a true five-tool player prior to his knees going bad, would have been a shoe-in had I been voting. Rice played in a media center – Boston - while Dawson did most of his work in the baseball “Black Hole” known as Montreal. End of story.

While we are on the subject, among the other players eligible in this class, one other stands out in my book – Lee Smith

All Smith did was retire as MLB’s career leader in saves (478). Could you imagine the career leader in RBI or batting average not getting in? The last time I checked, a big deal has been made of the “save” in the last 30 years or so.

If it’s that important to have a true dominant closer, then how do you not vote “yes” for Smith getting into the HOF? He’ll eventually get the number of votes required to get in, but he should not have to wait.

Change of Opinion
In the past, I was willing to take on “malcontents” or “knuckleheads” if you will, in certain situations, if I felt they could help my team get over the top. My reasoning was as follows - major league sports is a business, and at times, you have to do what you have to do to win.

I would NOT take on potential trouble with a player coming out of the draft because they had not proven anything yet, but I would do so with an already established talent (i.e. TO) if I felt he was a difference-maker.

I have changed my mind.

Always being a big fan of the THREE BIG Cs - Character, Chemistry and Continuity, I can no longer square those concepts I believe in with taking a potential shortcut (potential trouble) to get me over the top. It does not work enough to validate the attempt, nor does it send the right message.

I was wrong. Now I feel better.

Kelly Shoppach
Quietly, the Indians avoided arbitration again and signed Kelly Shoppach to a one-year deal for the 2009 season. Two years ago on these pages, we suggested the Tribe sign Shoppach to a long-term deal and play him more while moving Victor Martinez to first base.

They finally got around to the latter this past season when Victor Martinez went down. In 112 games, he hit 21 bombs ands had 55 RBI while being solid behind the dish. The guy can play everyday. Now everyone else realizes it too – not only Cleveland – but the rest of MLB. Hopefully, they won’t lose him to free agency because of lack of foresight.

Marty and the Eagles
Marty’s stay in Cleveland in the late 80s in eerily similar to the Philadelphia Eagles’ run with their head coach (Andy Reid) and starting quarterback (Donovan McNabb). Browns’ fans and many in the local media were calling for a change in Cleveland because Marty “couldn’t win the big one.”

Prior to Philadelphia’s playoff run the past couple weeks, many were calling for a change in leadership both off the field (Reid) and on (McNabb) in Philly.

And what are those morons saying now?

Some folks will never get it. Had the Eagles failed to make the playoffs in 2008, I would have argued vehemently against dumping Reid and/or McNabb. And history would have proved me right unless the new leadership took the franchise to the Super Bowl and won it. That strategy rarely succeeds and often backfires (see Browns since 1989).

Remember my motto – you change leadership only if it’s a train wreck in progress or you can clearly do better.

So that begs the question – Why do owners dump employees who have produced?

Answer – because they lack patience and/or spend too much time listening to ignorant talking heads and/or disgruntled fans that have a very small memory bank from which to draw from.

Arizona – Carolina
I didn’t understand why many experts were giving “my” Arizona Cardinals little or no chance to win this past weekend at Carolina.

First, the Panthers never reminded me of the Steelers of the 70s and we said so on these pages when analyzing the top teams in the NFC weeks ago. The most talented team, the Cowboys, didn’t even get in the post-season.

Secondly, Arizona had a future Hall of Fame quarterback (Kurt Warner) who had won big in the post-season before coming in while the Panthers didn’t.

Therefore, logic dictates if you can keep the HOFer upright, you have a chance. They (Cardinals’ offensive line) kept his jersey clean and thus the results – even without another potential future HOFer available to him – wide receiver Antwan Boldin.

Finally, one reason the Cardinals won is because of ground we covered a long time ago – Jake Delhomme.

In the dictionary and the encyclopedia, there should be a picture of Delhomme next to the following description:

Average Starting NFL Quarterback…will play well from time to time and get many (media & fans alike) excited that he’s special when he’s really not….will play lousy from time to time and get many (media & fans alike) to believe that he’s terrible and can’t play when he’s really not…the truth is somewhere in-between…don’t feel bad for him – he’s still a terrific athlete, with a special skill, who is a multi-millionaire...he just isn’t Joe Montana nor is he Ryan Leaf…case closed.

Okay, okay, I didn’t expect five picks against “my” Cardinals. But you get the point. Had he thrown five touchdown passes and won, I would be saying the same thing. His career body of work indicates what it indicates. Follow?

Cavs – Celtics
Several weeks ago when everyone was on the Boston Celtics’ bandwagon after their sick star out of the gate and analysts were actually pushing Rajon Rondo for the All-Star game, we told you the Cavaliers were better and they simply needed to continue to grind it out and finish with the best record in the East in order to clinch home-court advantage.

Since that time, the Celtics have stumbled, Rondo is playing like Rondo (okay), and the Cavaliers have the best record in basketball.

Keep it up guys – it’s a long season.

Parade Down Superior Avenue On The Way
I don’t think I have ever been able to write or think this before, especially this early into a sports season here in Cleveland, but here goes - CLEVELAND HAS CLEARLY THE BEST TEAM IN THE NBA AND SHOULD WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2008-09.

How did we come to this conclusion? Simple.

We stated before the season started this would once again be a 50+ win team but we wanted to see Mo Williams play every day to evaluate his talent level and impact. In late November, this humble observer stated publicly Williams was easily the best player 23 had ever played with during his tenure in Cleveland. We then proclaimed the Cavaliers the team to beat in the East.

Since that time, it has become clear that the Cavaliers are also better than anyone in the West, including the vaunted Lakers, who simply don’t guard you every night.

So what do we currently have here in NE Ohio?

The Cavaliers have the best player in the world (LJ), who is now finally also making plays on a consistent basis at the defensive end, an all-star caliber NBA combo-guard (Williams) who can set tempo, get his and be 23’s sidekick, role players who fit nicely and understand their purpose (fill in the blank with player of choice), continuity and experience, and finally, the best defensive team in the league – thanks in large part to Mike Brown pounding away at that philosophy day in day out.

That, my friends, is a recipe for a championship if James and Williams are in one piece come playoff time.

We said prior to the holidays, the NBA might get their dream match-up in the 2009 Finals – Kobe versus LJ. As each day passes, that looks more and more like the reality that awaits us. Cavaliers in 6!

Tony Dungy
Everyone is saying all the right things. In this case, they should. Dungy was respected and loved, not because of his terrific winning percentage and Super Bowl win, but because he treated people with respect while doing all the rest.

He proved you could be a successful head coach without screaming and yelling at players and treating the media with distain. The NFL is poorer for the loss.

Mangini Hiring
You knew I’d get to this eventually. We saved our best analysis for last even though this one is not so complicated.

Here the real story – Randy Lerner hired Mangini because he did not want to hire someone with NO NFL head coaching experience this time around and because everyone on the “A” list likely turned him down (i.e.Cowher, Marty, Shanahan).

As to why Mangini got the job, Lerner explained it in a rare radio interview. Few noticed it, but yours truly was all over it.

Lerner said this about Mangini: “It is an anomaly that a new head coach wins in two of his first three years and still becomes available.”

He said a lot more but that comment stood out.

Its simple – Lerner saw that Mangini had a winning record 67% of the time in his first try at being in charge and that impressed him, along with obviously hitting it off with him personally when they met.

Put yourself in Lerner’s shoes. Between you and your old man, you’ve had the team 10years and produced ONLY two winnings seasons while Mangini matched that record already in just three years in charge.

I’m not saying it’s the right call; all I’m saying is the logic fits as far as Lerner is concerned. As to if it’s the right pick – the record on the field, as always, will answer that question. That’s the beauty of sports.

Yes, I will get on record early on Mangini once I see how he goes about his business. I soured on Butch Davis before everyone else did and ditto on Romeo and Savage.

Unfortunately, I was right on the money and could have saved the Lerners plenty of coin had I had their ear when their “VPs of this and that” were recommending contract extensions prematurely. It must be nice to be a billionaire and throw away millions on fired employees like its tip money.

When we form an opinion on Mangini, you’ll be the first to know. Until then, we’ll be paying close attention to his moves.

One thing is for certain; he didn’t learn or wasn’t taught anything during his PR internship with the Browns back in the early 90s. After introducing himself to the media this past week, he stepped off the podium not realizing those people gathered in front of him (media) might want to ask a few questions. He came back ofcourse.

Let’s hope he’s a better head coach than spokesperson.