Friday, May 18, 2007

Dom's Dish - YAY ITS MY BIRTHDAY edition

Dom's Dish - Friday, May 18, 2007


So after a few off weeks, and suffering from a serious case of the serious bug** (note below) , I've taken some advice from my good friend Bill Simmons and decided to start "loading one on" before getting too into this Dish:

"We [Boston Celtics] desperately need one of the top two picks or I'm going to develop a serious drinking problem. Those are the stakes. Now, you could argue that a serious drinking problem would inject some much-needed life into my column, and you might even be right."

Well I know I can, as my email signature states, so I know I'm right! For those that were at the Cinco Fiesta, I'll have you know that the leftover Pineapple infused Vodka has been in the freezer for just about two weeks now and BOY IS THAT GOOD! Boy, you're pretty good too! After an early morning session at the range hitting a bucket of balls, it's time to sit on down and "let the magic happen" - this is, after all, the place where "the magic happens," so onward and upward....

First off, I love the whole West-Coast basketball bias on ESPN and the other media outlets (really, can we call them outlets? I don't go buy cheap news because there's a stitch missing) and how the Suns/Spurs series "would have" been "one of the best" playoff series, but now it's been "diminished" because of Robert Horry. Come on - he's no goon - as Don Chaney (Temple) might phrase it - instead he's a "role player" that comes on in and hits a few shots and plays some defense while the likes on Tim Duncan and other starters rest. Now, I'll admit, it was an aggressive move on his part, however every time I see it, I really don't think his intent was to injure Nash, and I really do believe that if others in the area didn't react so quickly, Nash would not have charged after Horry and have to be split up in that quasi-melee. On the other hand, there is no doubt in my mind that Amare was going to go after Horry to defend Nash's honor - that sounds pretty chivalrous when you say it that way - but honestly, Amare did deserve the suspension. David Stern is a lot of things, but one that we cannot accuse him of is being soft. I saw him on PTI with Wilbon and Kornheiser on Wednesday, and he did kind of convince me that rules are rules and that he does have the best interest of the NBA in mind when making these rulings. Does it suck? Yes, sure it does, but that's the rule - as others pointed out, the Spurs players didn't move off the bench when it happened - maybe it was planned? Oh you darn conspiracy theorists! Regardless, the Suns came out hot and perhaps they would have held on at the end, but that's the way the ball bounces. Even with the Spurs dismal 1-3 record in closeout games, at home, after the first round, since 2001 (talk about getting stats to say what you want) - I'm picking the Spurs tonight, in San Antonio, to win the game, pending any major injuries to Duncan or Parker, in the second quarter, or later. How about that?

The NJ state assembly wants Rutgers to change their logo and put "NJ" in there somewhere. "No one knows where Rutgers is" - up until about 2 years ago, no one knew what the hell a Rutgers was....we're making progress here people. After all, they are "The State University of NJ" - I bet those assemblymen and lawmakers are the same ones that lobbied to change the TCNJ logo from the clock tower to the letters "TCNJ" all jumbled up. Here's an idea, have New Brunswick section off a small part of the town and make it a new municipality - Rutgers, NJ. It can be right near the grease trucks and frat house row on the Main Campus. I should be an assemblyman!

From the "That's what I'm talking about!" column - just yesterday, Braylon Edwards, the #3 pick in the 2005 NFL draft, WR in Cleveland, and his foundation, pledged $1 million to 100 eighth-grade students in Cleveland school districts. But he didn't just throw this money to the students, there's some living up to it on their end. The students, recommended by their teachers had to write essays on why they should be chosen, what their future plans are, etc. Braylon read over 1,000 essays that were submitted and picked the 100 students and vowed to give them $10,000 each upon graduation from high school. The catch? Be a student basically - maintain a 2.5 grade point average throughout high school, perform 15 hours of community service each year, and also can't have any unexcused absences. If they do all this, Edwards will help pay for their college education. Edwards will honor the students' commitment even if they do not intend to go to college, however "...A mother approached Edwards and said she hadn't even thought about college for her son until the boy was chosen for this award. At best, she figured, her son would have to go to a trade school." All I have to say is WOW - this guy really gets it. With the craziness of the NFL lately, this is something we need more of - I hope at least another 10 players follow suit - especially those top round draft picks, or others that make ridiculous amounts of money that don't necessarily earn every dime based on their play - see 75% of the Redskins roster, and others like Roger Clemens who make $100/minute. Braylon, I hope you make the Pro Bowl, the Super Bowl and the Hall of Fame - the NFL needs more good guys like you.

That is now two Phillies starters who have pitched no-hit games past the 6th inning in the three weeks! Jamie Moyer and Cole Hamels- such different pitching styles - one, a young-in lefty who throws an awesome change-up and a fastball in the mid-90's, the other a crafty 44 year old who pitches like it's a chess match with a fastball barely breaking 88 mph. Then there's Aaron Rowand, the little dude with the swimmer body, who leaps through fences and has 6 home runs already, batting .340!!! Regardless of the fact that Philly "can't win the big one" - they sure do have some entertaining sports teams. Aside from the Flyers the past few seasons, there sure has been some drama in this town, from TO to AI and Ryan Howard to Kevin Kolb, this is Philly sports. Sure, NY has A-Rod and Beltran, but you gotta stop comparing Philly to NYC - think of DC, Atlanta and San Francisco - I would be bored follow sports in those towns....aside from Ron Mexico...but still. Anyway, get on out to the ball park, hopefully the next time you walk in there and see all those people, the looks on the little kids' faces and the aroma of hot pretzels, burgers and fresh beer in the air, you'll get the goosebumps as I do every time I step into the park. Go Phils.

P.S. I almost caused myself to get thrown in jail yesterday. While sitting on the Major Deegan "Expressway" yesterday afternoon for over an hour on the ramp to get to the George Washington Bridge at 5pm, I watched not one, but two BUSSES and four trucks cut me off while in line. Honest, for 10 minutes, my car did not move even one inch. Let alone the numerous (probably about 20) cars that decided at the last minute that they were really going to NJ too. I finally wised up and went the opposite way on the Cross-Bronx, took the next exit for a u-turn and was in NJ on Rt 80 within 10 minutes. Talk about Road Rage man...it reinforced my point - I'm not fit for the commuter role....a straight jacket maybe....but no commuter. And if by almost in jail....I mean not almost at all.

Things to be thankful for on my birthday:
- Shrek the Third, FINALLY, in theaters.
- Bingo Night in America, FINALLY, on TV
- NJ launching a new "Click it or ticket" campaign to waste my money because of a stupid Governor

....Conflict boils over like an angry sludge....


Around the Balls:
Brown-oblong- For those that watched the NFL draft, as I did, on that Saturday afternoon, you probably are just as perplexed and even touched by the Keyshawn Johnson situation. No granted, I am from Garfield, NJ, the hometown of Wayne Chrebet, who was the source of "Me-Shawn's" frustration years back as a Jet, but I don't hold a grudge. Keyshawn, with that huge ass smile seems like an alright guy and seems to have "chilled out" since his days as a diva WR. It kind of stinks looking back, how excited he was, thinking he would have the chance to play with Dwayne Jarrett in Carolina, a few days before he was cut. Obviously teams like San Fran, Oakland and Philly are weary of signing another TO or Moss-like player, but I honestly think he's mellowed out and can still provide a spark for a team. Maybe not a Top 5 or even 10 round Fantasy pick, but still a contributor in the locker room with some young wide-outs...speaking of Young - I believe he'll go to Tennessee and help out a much needed WR corps.

Giant-orange- Did anyone else listen to LeBron's post-game news conference the other night? "I have a family at home I'm more worried about" - maybe I'm reading too much into it....maybe he's playing the media and the fans. Either way, my heart wants Cleveland to win tonight in Jersey, but my mind is tellin' me no!

White-stitched- In the time you read up until now, Roger Clemens made another $600. Thanks for playing.

** I know this because, apparently no one is reading this anymore! Last week I mentioned in the "Around the Balls" section of this column that "Tank Williams" was getting out of prison....Tank Williams was a safety with the Tennessee Titans a few years back....Tank Johnson is the huge dude from Chicago with guns and dogs and jail time!


Program Alerts!!!:
Cavs/Nets - Game 6 tonight. Suns/Spurs - Game 6 tonight. "The Preakness" tomorrow on NBC.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Dom's Dish - $100 minute edition

Dom's Dish - Friday, May 11, 2007

Breaking News: After applying for reinstatement to the league, Ricky Williams has failed another drug test. What a moron, talk about a character issue.

So we all know about the Yankees and hopefully their "savior" this year whom they just signed to a one-year $28 million contract. We all know about the "Clemens Clause" in which he can skip out on games that he doesn't pitch and be with his family. How good is Roger Clemens? Possibly the best pitcher of all times. The wins, the ERA, the strikeouts. How much is he worth? We all heard $28 million - but that's prorated. He doesn't get paid for April and May. But still, an astonishing fact, Roger Clemens will make $102.46 per minute. Imagine that. By the time you finish reading this Dish, he will have made over $500. To most, that is a good weekly salary. That's $6,147.60 in one hour - how many make that in a month? $147,000+ in one day.

And here it is again, another favorite time of the year for me. It's Friday morning, I'm watching ESPN, and already know it. "ESPN has learned that Dirk Nowitzki will be named the NBA Most Valuable Player on Tuesday." WHAT!? How does that happen? Why Tuesday? Everyone knows 4 days ahead of time, how is that fair?

So, the big news yesterday was that Dale Earnhart, Jr. will be leaving DEI (D. Earnhart, Inc.). His step-mother wouldn't give him the 51% share and control of company, and now with this decision, there won't be much to DEI. The biggest name in NASCAR is a free agent and talk already this morning is that he'll end up with the same team his daddy was with. Talk about splitting the family up - his sister is his agent and at the presser yesterday he mentioned his aunt too. I just wanna go grab a Busch for some reason...

Speaking of Busch...The Bulls collapsed last night. Already down 2-0 in the series, they had a 17 pt lead and blew it in the second half. I guess they're making progress, this team is the first to win a playoff series since the days of MJ. And I thought Philly was bad...talk about a city to suffer heartache: Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Rex Grossman and now the Bulls...I'm not so sure the White Sox shouldn't be considered a non-Chicago team.

So, everyone gets into these NFL Draft wrap ups. You don't know and won't for 2 years how good it was. I mean, come on - for every Tim Couch or Ryan Leaf (busts) there is a Peyton Manning (1st ballot HOF-er) and for every Ben Roethlisberger (starts fast) there is a Lee Evans (better over time). There are also the Michael Clayton and Cadillac Williams's (great rookie seasons), who counter their production with a horrible year. And those are only some first round names! Everyone makes a big deal about the Eagles draft, trading back, but not as much is said for teams that mortgage the farm - NY Giants for Eli Manning. There are all tons of different scenarios that will play out - no one can accurately project a player's fortune or misfortune in the NFL from a college career. Players get drafted from big schools, small schools; we've seen them on TV, or we never heard of them until Bowl season. Point being - look back to the 2005 draft and analyze that. Alex Smith, Ronnie Brown, Braylon Edwards, Cedric Benson and Cadillac Williams. Even they won't be viewed the same at the end of this season as they are now. Why should this year's class be any different?

Five bricks. No one has ever jumped five bricks. There's talk that some kid in the next town jumped four bricks and a small piece of wood...


Around the balls:
Giant-orange- The Cavs, led by 'Bron Bron, are up 2-0 on the Nets heading into tomorrow's Game 3 in East Rutherford. The younger, more physical Cavs are out-hussling and out-rebounding the older, more feeble Nets. Hey, at least the NJ teams got to the playoffs!!!

White-leather-stitched- Colbert Richard Hamels is on the mound tonight against the Cubs. His mid-three ERA and 4-1 record against a Chicago team under Lou Pinella that is 6-3 in their last nine. Cole's second in the NL with 52 K's in 47.2 IP. If he is to reach his goal of 20 wins, he better have a good game tonight. Hopefully he can get some run support. Aaron Rowand for MVP baby!

Rubber-non- Hockey is still going on? I tell you what, watch the end of this Buffalo/Ottowa series. It's gonna get ugly. Maybe the goalies will meet at center ice again to throw down.

Big-brown-oblong- Tank Williams is getting out of jail on Sunday and will meet with Commish Goodell on Wednesday. There's talk he'll be punished less harshly due to "time already served." How does that make any sense? He was actually punished to jail time, already been convicted of a weapons charge and a parole violation. How is that any better than being questioned by the Po-po 10 times and raising dogs for fighting?

Tiny-white- Tiger is in FL this weekend trying to avoid the smoke and winds to win another tourney. "The unofficial 5th major" they say, the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. Look out for Lefty- already at 6 under on day 2. And I'm the "unofficial next Bill Simmons."

Green-fuzzy- Roger Federer lost to someone on clay not named Rafael Nadal. How about that?


Program Alert:
NBA Playoffs all weekend and tons of baseball.