Pay-Rod
Reports are starting to come out that the Yankees apparently didn't have a big enough offer to keep Alex Rodriguez, and were told by his agent that it would need to come up with an offer of at least $350 million to schedule a meeting. The Yanks had hoped to meet with A-Rod this week and presented him with an extension offer close to five years and $150 million to begin at the conclusion of his 2008-2010 contract, through which he would have earned $81 million. Through that proposal Rodriguez would have made about $230 million over eight years, and during the last five years of his contract would have reportedly earned the highest annual salary in MLB history. At $230 million, New York was $120 million short to schedule that meeting.
There are several things that can be taken away from this.
Up to this point in his career, all A-Rod has accomplished is being the youngest member of the 500 home run club, one MVP award (possibily two depending on the outcome of this years voting), and several other good stats seasons, all of which are personal accolades. For someone who has yet to lead his team to the fall classic, forget about winning it for a second, and is batting .159 (7-44) with 1 homer and RBI in his last 13 post-season games, I think to ask for a $100 million pay increase in your next contract ($250 million over 10 years signed with Texas in 2001) is asking for way too much and I don't blame the Yankees for passing. You may remember that after signing that record breaking deal, Rodriguez compaired the next 10 years with Texas like Kirby Puckett's career and that last contract he signed with the Twins. Difference is that Kirby stepped it up when it counted not only in October winning two world series, but during the regular season, and didn't demand a trade 3 years into his contract when the club was below .500 and losing.
It's always been pointed out that the Yankees buy their club and championships. The Red Sox bought their championship this year, almost using the same blueprint of their rivals. Forgotten by most is the multi-million dollar fee Boston had to pay to just talk with Dice-K , not counting the contract he was signed to, along with several other free agents including what was offered to Manny Ramirez to leave the Indians, and look for more to be added and bought this off-season. The Yanks didn't sign A-Rod in 2001 to a $250 million contract and decided not to sign him to a $350 million contract this time around. While at times the Yankees have made some bad investments, they don't have all the money and the most money in baseball to throw around.
It is scary to think that a player is worth $350 million, or should I say a player and his agents cut. While the economics of not only baseball, but all sports have changed over the last 10-20 years. Just breaking down baseball for a second this past season the Average Salary was just under $3 million and minimun $380,000; 2002 $2.38 million and $200,000; 1997 $1.38 million and $150,000; 1992 $1.08 million and $109,000; and in 1990 the average was $578,930 and minimum $100,000. If there were no agents, or middle-men who just get a piece of the pie but don't do a whole lot and in most cases never played sports, would there be salaries as high as there are today if 100 percent of every contract went just to the player? That does bring up a chicken and egg sort of question. What came first, multi-million dollar contracts or agents?
Friday, November 2, 2007
November 2nd, Part II
It's Tubby Time
While it was just an exhibition Thursday, the Tubby Smith led Golden Gophers defeated Minnesota State, Mankato 94-68 in front of 11,508 fans at Williams Arena.
Many may remember last year when division two national champ Winona State beat the Gophers. I know I do. I was at the game, and remember walking out of the Barn to the chants of "D 2's Better" from the several thousand Winona fans who made the drive.
I was fortunate enough to have grown up at Williams Arena, attending games yearly with my dad as far back as the Kevin McHale era. The last few years under Dan Monson saw a once proud and strong program become a dormat and D2 wipping post. Yes they did make the Tourney and NIT a few times but you could hardly call the Monson Era as sucessful. During his reign the Barn was turned from the best home court advantage in all of college hoops (right up there with Cameron Indoor Stadium) and dare I say the top ten in all of sports, to just another away game for those coming to take on the U of M. While it may take a few seasons to make the Tourney and build the program back up to what it was during the Clem Era (defore the scandel), it'll be interesting to see what Tubby Smith does with basically the same group from last year and how long it'll be before the likes of Michigan State, Indiana, and Ohio State dread coming to play on the raised court.
Wild Repeat?
After winning their first 5 games, and 7 of 8, the Wild find themselves on a 3 game losing streak and have lost their last 5 including a shoot-out to the Oil. While it looks like same October and early November start from last year, it might be a good thing. Lets not forget that Minnesota was just a point away from winning the division last year. The Wild host the Flames on Saturday, and hopefully they can snap this steak to the first team to beat them in regulation this season.
While it was just an exhibition Thursday, the Tubby Smith led Golden Gophers defeated Minnesota State, Mankato 94-68 in front of 11,508 fans at Williams Arena.
Many may remember last year when division two national champ Winona State beat the Gophers. I know I do. I was at the game, and remember walking out of the Barn to the chants of "D 2's Better" from the several thousand Winona fans who made the drive.
I was fortunate enough to have grown up at Williams Arena, attending games yearly with my dad as far back as the Kevin McHale era. The last few years under Dan Monson saw a once proud and strong program become a dormat and D2 wipping post. Yes they did make the Tourney and NIT a few times but you could hardly call the Monson Era as sucessful. During his reign the Barn was turned from the best home court advantage in all of college hoops (right up there with Cameron Indoor Stadium) and dare I say the top ten in all of sports, to just another away game for those coming to take on the U of M. While it may take a few seasons to make the Tourney and build the program back up to what it was during the Clem Era (defore the scandel), it'll be interesting to see what Tubby Smith does with basically the same group from last year and how long it'll be before the likes of Michigan State, Indiana, and Ohio State dread coming to play on the raised court.
Wild Repeat?
After winning their first 5 games, and 7 of 8, the Wild find themselves on a 3 game losing streak and have lost their last 5 including a shoot-out to the Oil. While it looks like same October and early November start from last year, it might be a good thing. Lets not forget that Minnesota was just a point away from winning the division last year. The Wild host the Flames on Saturday, and hopefully they can snap this steak to the first team to beat them in regulation this season.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
November 2nd
Tocchet, Will Be Comming to a Rink Near You
On Thursday NHL commissioner Gary Bettman reinstated Rick Tocchet effictive February 7, 2008, and said "Employment and participation in the National Hockey League is an honour and privilege that can't be taken for granted. I felt that two years was the appropriate punishment." The Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach had been on a leave of absence since February of 2006 amid accusations he and two men were operating an illegal sports gambling ring. Tocchet agreed back on May 25th to a plea bargain in a New Jersey court on counts of promoting gambling and conspiracy to promote gambling, and was sentenced to two years probation on August 17th.
His return to comes with three conditions set by the commissioner. 1--Tocchet is forbidden to take part in any form of gambling, 2--he must refrain from activity that may hurt the reputation of the NHL, and 3--will also be evaluated by the league's substance abuse and behavioural health program to see if he has a compulsive gambling addiction. If Bettman is satisfied that all three conditions are met, then Tocchet will be eligible to be behind the Coyotes bench on Feb. 7th, when the team hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets.
One important thing that can be learned from this, listen up Mr. Rose, if you tell the truth and are honest up front people will respect you for it and give you a second chance.
Torre, Back to his Roots
Two weeks after rejecting a one year $5-million offer to return to the Yankees, Joe Torre is the new skipper for your Los Angeles Dodgers. While terms were not disclosed reports suggest its a three-year deal worth $14.5-million. Torre, who grew up in Brooklyn, becomes the eighth manager of the Dodgers since they relocated from his old neighborhood in 1958.
There of course are now rumors that A-Rod will follow is former manager west, but weither LA wants to/has the money to sign another former Yankee is a good question. My shot in the dark guess is that Rodriguez will end up in Chicago to play for his other former manager, Lou Piniella.
On Thursday NHL commissioner Gary Bettman reinstated Rick Tocchet effictive February 7, 2008, and said "Employment and participation in the National Hockey League is an honour and privilege that can't be taken for granted. I felt that two years was the appropriate punishment." The Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach had been on a leave of absence since February of 2006 amid accusations he and two men were operating an illegal sports gambling ring. Tocchet agreed back on May 25th to a plea bargain in a New Jersey court on counts of promoting gambling and conspiracy to promote gambling, and was sentenced to two years probation on August 17th.
His return to comes with three conditions set by the commissioner. 1--Tocchet is forbidden to take part in any form of gambling, 2--he must refrain from activity that may hurt the reputation of the NHL, and 3--will also be evaluated by the league's substance abuse and behavioural health program to see if he has a compulsive gambling addiction. If Bettman is satisfied that all three conditions are met, then Tocchet will be eligible to be behind the Coyotes bench on Feb. 7th, when the team hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets.
One important thing that can be learned from this, listen up Mr. Rose, if you tell the truth and are honest up front people will respect you for it and give you a second chance.
Torre, Back to his Roots
Two weeks after rejecting a one year $5-million offer to return to the Yankees, Joe Torre is the new skipper for your Los Angeles Dodgers. While terms were not disclosed reports suggest its a three-year deal worth $14.5-million. Torre, who grew up in Brooklyn, becomes the eighth manager of the Dodgers since they relocated from his old neighborhood in 1958.
There of course are now rumors that A-Rod will follow is former manager west, but weither LA wants to/has the money to sign another former Yankee is a good question. My shot in the dark guess is that Rodriguez will end up in Chicago to play for his other former manager, Lou Piniella.
November 1st
The Eagle Has Landed!
Ed Belfour was a winner in his season debut Wednesday night, his Swedish League debut that is. Belfour, between the pipes for Leksand IF, surrendered a goal on the first shot his faced, but was flawless the rest of the way making 16 saves as Leksand downed Sundsvall 4-1 in front of 7,000 fans at the Ejendals Arena. Leksand competes in the Allsvenskan, one tier below the Swedish Elite League (Elitserein). The Eagle on his new employer said, "I see it as an honor to play for a classic club like Leksand". Who knows if the 42 year old goaltender will end up back state side, but it is nice to see he hasn't hung it up yet.
One of my favorite Ed Belfour stories goes back to when I was working in Devils Lake, Nor-dakota. Most every hockey fan remembers the incident when The Eagle was arrested for drunk driving and bribed the police officer to let him go. The bribe started at $100, and ridiculously escalated to a million and then to like a trillion-dollars. After seeing this story I read it on the air, and added that "I guess he didn't pay attention in math class". Just a few minutes later the station manager comes back to the studio and says there have been several calls regarding the comments you made about Ed Belfour, and the poor education he received from the University of North Dakota. I'm like, what? All I said is that he didn't pay attention in math class, I never mentioned anything about UND or where he went to school and received his education. The station manager kinda laughed and walked out of the studio, but for the next month I had several people ask me why I hated the Fighting Sioux, and was told that I should go back to Minnesota and Goldy Gopher Country.
Tocchet, coming soon to a rink near you?
Rick Tocchet reportedly met earlier this week with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. While this could mean he may soon be reinstated, if he is, does he go back to his old job? Tocchet, an assistant for Wayne Gretzky's Coyotes, has been on a leave of absence since Feb. 8, 2006. Should he be reinstated, look for the Pete Rose reinstatement talk to surface again. While many see the two as the same, lets not forget that Rose signed a piece of paper accepting and agreeing to a life-time ban and lied for 15 years about betting on baseball.
Ed Belfour was a winner in his season debut Wednesday night, his Swedish League debut that is. Belfour, between the pipes for Leksand IF, surrendered a goal on the first shot his faced, but was flawless the rest of the way making 16 saves as Leksand downed Sundsvall 4-1 in front of 7,000 fans at the Ejendals Arena. Leksand competes in the Allsvenskan, one tier below the Swedish Elite League (Elitserein). The Eagle on his new employer said, "I see it as an honor to play for a classic club like Leksand". Who knows if the 42 year old goaltender will end up back state side, but it is nice to see he hasn't hung it up yet.
One of my favorite Ed Belfour stories goes back to when I was working in Devils Lake, Nor-dakota. Most every hockey fan remembers the incident when The Eagle was arrested for drunk driving and bribed the police officer to let him go. The bribe started at $100, and ridiculously escalated to a million and then to like a trillion-dollars. After seeing this story I read it on the air, and added that "I guess he didn't pay attention in math class". Just a few minutes later the station manager comes back to the studio and says there have been several calls regarding the comments you made about Ed Belfour, and the poor education he received from the University of North Dakota. I'm like, what? All I said is that he didn't pay attention in math class, I never mentioned anything about UND or where he went to school and received his education. The station manager kinda laughed and walked out of the studio, but for the next month I had several people ask me why I hated the Fighting Sioux, and was told that I should go back to Minnesota and Goldy Gopher Country.
Tocchet, coming soon to a rink near you?
Rick Tocchet reportedly met earlier this week with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. While this could mean he may soon be reinstated, if he is, does he go back to his old job? Tocchet, an assistant for Wayne Gretzky's Coyotes, has been on a leave of absence since Feb. 8, 2006. Should he be reinstated, look for the Pete Rose reinstatement talk to surface again. While many see the two as the same, lets not forget that Rose signed a piece of paper accepting and agreeing to a life-time ban and lied for 15 years about betting on baseball.
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