My Thoughts on Joe Torre’s Departure from the Yankees October 19, 2007
Posted by Marquis Chapman in Baseball, MLB, Sports.12 comments
On Saturday, Joe Torre rejected a 5 million, one year deal offer from the Yankees. The offer included a $3 million dollar bonus if the Yankees reached the World Series, and an $8 million dollar option for 2009 if the Yankees won the AL pennant.
Torre’s rejection of the offer comes after a Yankees’ disappointing performance against the Cleveland Indians in the first round of the AL playoffs. When the Yankees trailed Cleveland in the series 2-0, Yankees’ Owner George Steinbrenner threatened to fire Torre if the Yankees were swept.
Now, Torre declining the Yank’s offer ultimately ends an amazing era for the Yankees. During his 12 years as the manager of the Yankees, Torre led the team to four World Series, won 10 East AL titles, and had a record of 1,173-767.
If I were Torre, I would have rejected the offer as well. Although it still may have made him the highest paid manager in the league, offering a deal based on performance to one of the best managers to ever coach in the Major League is a disgrace to him and the entire Yankee organization. After threatening to fire Torre during the playoffs, the Yankees should have showed they still wanted him to manage the team, and give him a multi -year deal, without the performance based incentives.
Torre leaving the Yankees, is like Red Auerbach leaving the Celtics. It’s just something that sports fans should never see happen. His name was synonymous with the Yankees and he was the best possible manager for the team. He’s what every team wants in their manager and a tough disciplinarian, but is also a player’s coach. Most of all, he’s a proven winner that still knows how to get the best out of his players.
This is something that is going to haunt the Yankees for years to come. For Torre, it may have not been about the money and the deal, but maybe the amount of disloyalty shown by an organization that he has given so much to probably played a major role in his decision. This is not only the end of Torre’s career with the Yankees, but is also an end of an era, and the end to the Yankees’ franchise as we know it.
We Talking About Practice October 18, 2007
Posted by Marquis Chapman in Basketball, NBA, Sports, Video.12 comments
The video below features people talking about practice. Not a game, not a game. They’re talking about practice… They’re talking about practice. Not a game, they’re talking about practice.
Tiger Woods Isn’t Like Mike… He’s Better October 17, 2007
Posted by Marquis Chapman in Golf, Sports.8 comments
Tiger Woods is definitely not a better athlete than the great Michael Jordan, but as unbelievable as it may sound, Woods is superior than Jordan when it comes to endorsing a product.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. You’re probably saying to yourself there is no possible way that Tiger Woods could endorse a product better than “Mr. Endorsement” himself, the great Michael Jordan. However, Gatorade begs to differ.
On Tuesday, Gatorade announced that they would be doing an endorsement deal with Woods, and would be giving Woods his own brand of drink called “Gatorade Tiger.” The flavors of the drink will include cherry blend, citrus blend, and grape. The deal is Woods’ first U.S. deal with a beverage company and his first licensing agreement.
Deals of the agreement were undisclosed, but there are reports that Woods will make $100 million dollars off the deal. With this deal, Woods is moving very close to the $1 billion dollar mark off of endorsements alone.
While Jordan endorsed Gatorade products almost his entire career, he was never offered or given a licensing deal. Jordan’s deal with Nike was a reported $47 million dollars over five years, while Woods’ deal with Nike pays him $100 million over 5 years. Lastly, Jordan has never come even close to reaching the billion dollar mark with endorsements and his NBA contract combined.
Like Mike? I’d rather be like Tiger.
All Talk on the NFL October 15, 2007
Posted by Marquis Chapman in Football, NFL, Sports.7 comments
With one more game to go on Monday between the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons, it’s been a pretty exciting and shocking week in the NFL.
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The battle between the unbeaten New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys wasn’t all that surprising. Tom Brady played great, throwing 5 touchdowns and passing for 388 yards. Brady got everyone involved as Moss, Stallworth, and Welker all had touchdowns. How can the Patriots be stopped?!
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Adrian Peterson pretty much played a real football game as if it were a game of Madden. Against the Chicago Bears, Peterson had 224 yards on just 20 carries, and also scored 3 touchdowns. His longest run was 73 yards. Peterson by himself, has out rushed every team he’s played this season. Peterson definitely shut up the critics with his performance on Sunday. Thanks for the Fantasy Points Adrian.
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Brett Favre and the Packers are 5-1. Although Favre set the all time interception record, the Packers still got the win against the Washington Redskins. Speaking of the Redskins, I don’t know what’s going on with one of my favorite players Clinton Portis. He just hasn’t been able to get going this season.
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It looks like Jaguar head coach Jack Del Rio’s decision to make David Garrard the starting QB is paying off. The Jags have won four straight with their win over the Houston Texans.
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An often frustrated Ladanian Tomlinson scored 4 touchdowns against the Oakland Raiders. LT had 198 yards and some nice runs, as the Chargers defeated the Raiders 14-28. Glad the running game is fixed, now if only we can get the QB problem fixed.
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Kansas City Chiefs’ Tight End, Tony Gonzalez broke the all time touchdown record for Tight Ends Sunday. Gonzalez recorded his 63rd touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals, breaking Shannon Sharpe’s record of 62. Gonzalez has been so consistent throughout his career. He’s definitely one of the guys I would like to see win a Superbowl ring.
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The Saints have finally won a game, defeating the Seattle Seahawks 28-17. Drew Brees played well for the first time this season, throwing for 246 yards and 2 touchdowns. Most importantly, he didn’t throw any picks. Reggie Bush had a good game rushing, carrying the ball 19 times for 97 yards. Keep it up Saints, maybe my prayers helped after all.
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Vinny Tesaverde is back! Testaverde stepped in for the injured David Carr and led the Carolina Panthers to victory over the Arizona Cardinals 25-10. At the age of 102 (he’s really 43), Testaverde is showing the league that he still has some skills.
Who’s the Best Team in College Football? October 14, 2007
Posted by Marquis Chapman in College Football, Football, Sports.9 comments
The question above isn’t so easy to answer with USC being upset by Stanford last week, and the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country being upset this week.
No. 1 ranked LSU found out that their running game can actually be stopped as they were upset by No. 17 Kentucky in triple overtime. LSU still had a chance to win it late in the game after a touchdown and a failed two point conversion by Kentucky. However, the Tigers couldn’t get a first down after attempting four straight running plays, and came up a yard short on 4th and 2.
The California Golden Bears, ranked No. 2 in the nation, faced the Oregon State Beavers at home. The Bears were led by redshirt freshmen Kevin Riley who played fairly well, considering it was his first collegiate start. It was Riley however, who cost the Bears the game, as he attempted to run instead of throwing the ball away, which kept the the clock running and didn’t allow enough time for Cal to set up for the game tying field goal to send the game into overtime.
With some of the best college teams being upset by some of the most unlikely opponents, this is has to be the hardest question to answer in sports… Who is the best team in College Football?
Kimbo Gives Ray Lewis a Run for His Money October 13, 2007
Posted by Marquis Chapman in Football, Sports, Video.17 comments
If you’re an avid youtube viewer, you’ve probably heard of Kimbo. Kimbo is a legend in the brutal sport of street fighting. Apparently, Kimbo isn’t just a great street fighter, he’s also pretty good at delivering some hard hits on the gridiron. The clip below shows a man taking a $100 bet to take a tackle from the 6’2”, 265 pound Kimbo. After watching this clip, I’m not sure I would do this for a million dollars.
Terrell Owens No Longer Talking Trash October 11, 2007
Posted by Marquis Chapman in Football, NFL, Sports.8 comments
Your read it right, Terrell Owens is no longer talking trash. When reporters came to Owens’ locker to question him about the highly anticipated game against the New England Patriots, they didn’t see the talkative, trash talking Cowboy’s receiver, but instead found a note of all things, posted on his locker. Here is what the note said:
Dear Reporters,
Due to the magnitude of this week’s game and high volume of questions for the Original 81 about the other 81. I will be taking all questions immediately following Sunday’s game.
Sincerely, (followed by Owens’ signature)
P.S. Getcha Popcorn Ready.
Alright, so maybe Owens isn’t talking trash, but he’s kind of writing trash. However, if the Cowboys win Sunday’s game against the Pats, I expect the “original 81” to throw the post-it notes in the trash, and go back to his usual loud mouth ways.
Your Call: Should Marion Jones’ Teammates Forfeit Their Medals? October 10, 2007
Posted by Marquis Chapman in Sports, Track and Field, Your Call.24 comments
On Monday, Marion Jones forfeited the five medals she won at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, after admitting to using steroids. Jones also agreed to have all other results dating back to September 1, 2000 to be forfeited.
The three gold medals and the two bronze medals won by Jones are to be handed over to the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and then returned to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Chairmen for both the USOC and IOC have expressed that they feel the teammates who won medals with Jones should forfeit their medals as well. This mean that Jearl Miles-Clark, Monique Hennagan, Tasha Colander-Richardson and Andrea Anderson would have to give up their gold medals in the 1,600 meter relay. Chryste Gaines, Torri Edwards, Nanceen Perry and Passion Richardson would forfeit their bronze medals in the 400 meter relay.
Should the teammates of Jones be forced to forfeit their medals because they won with Jones or should they be allowed to keep them because it was soley Jones who used steroids? It’s your call.
A Very Bizarre Monday Night in Buffalo October 9, 2007
Posted by Marquis Chapman in Football, NFL, Sports.10 comments
There wasn’t a full moon out, but it was a very bizarre Monday night as the Buffalo Bills looked like they were poised to upset the Dallas Cowboys.
The Bills played the game of their lives as Hall of Famers Thurman Thomas and Jim Kelly watched on the sidelines. They led for nearly the entire game and had the Dallas Cowboys offense completely out of sync. Tony Romo played the worst game of his professional career, throwing 5 interceptions and fumbling once.
The Bills led 17-10 at half, and after a Dallas Cowboy field goal in the beginning of the third quarter, the Bills responded with a kickoff return for a touchdown by Terrance McGee, making the score 13-24.
In the fourth quarter, Buffalo looked like they were still going to come away with the upset, as kicker Nick Folk (more on him later) made the score 16-24 with a 37-yard field goal. The score remained 16-24 until Romo hit Patrick Clayton for a 4-yard touchdown with just 24 seconds left, making it 22-24. The Cowboys went to Terrell Owens for the 2-point conversion, but the pass was stripped out of Owens’ hands by Jabari Greer.
With just 24 seconds left in the game, the only thing the Buffalo Bills needed to do in order to ensure the win was recover the onside kick, but somehow it was the Cowboys, not the Bills that recovered the kick.
After a 20-yard pass to Terrell Owens was overturned, the Cowboys completed two more passes, and set up Nick Folk for a 53-yard field goal with just 2 seconds left. Folk made the field goal, but Bills head coach Dick Jauron called a timeout just before the ball was snapped. Folk stepped up to kick the field goal again, and the Cowboys and Bills watched as the ball went straight through the middle. Game over, Cowboys win, and a very bizarre Monday night in Buffalo.
Joe Torre Keeps His Job October 8, 2007
Posted by Marquis Chapman in Baseball, MLB, Sports.8 comments
With the pressure of possibly losing his job, Joe Torre desperately needed a win against the Cleveland Indians to avoid a sweep. On Saturday, George Steinbrenner stated that Joe Torre would be fired if he didn’t win the series against the Indians.
Sunday’s game looked like it was going to be the end for Torre and the Yankees. The Yankees found themselves down 3-0 early in the game as Roger Clemens struggled against the Indians and made an exit in the third inning.
The Yankees were able to make a rally and came back to beat the Indians 8-4. The savior of the Yankees’ season and Torres’ job was Johnny Damon. Damon had three hits and drove in four runs, including a go ahead, three run homer, giving the Yankees a 5-3 lead. This gave the Yanks the momentum they needed to rally and come away with the win. The Yankees still trail the first round AL playoff series 2-1, but this victory might give the spark the club needs to win the series and ensure Torre keeps his job.
George Steinbrenner threatening to fire Joe Torre is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard. Given the success Torre has had with the Yankees, Steinbrenner should have shown more class, and not broadcast to the media that Torre would be fired if the Yankees were swept. Torre can only do so much when one of your star players goes into hiding when post season comes around. Alex Rodriguez goes from a superstar to a minor league player when the games matter the most. Instead of threatening to fire Torre, maybe Steinbrenner should have threatened to take some of A-Rod’s money back.
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