George Steinbrenner's death dominated sports talk radio today and for good reason. The long time owner of the New York Yankees was a very controversial figure. He was the US's Harold Ballard. The big question was what is his legacy? For what its worth, here are my thoughts on Steinbrenner.
I was never big on the man. I don't like buying championships the way the Yankees have. I think he helped wreck the sport. However, George didn't do anything against the rules and I admit that. His drive and his desire to see the Yankees succeed no matter the cost is something that can't be ignored. If baseball could have found a way to limit him, I wonder if salaries would be where they are today. If they weren't, would teams like the Expos still be in Montreal and could small market teams like Kansas City and Pittsburgh survive and prosper. Again, I realize that if owners would dip into their pockets and pay the necessary players the money to stay or play it wouldn't be this way. George found the money to pay the players the money they needed and they played in what is arguably the greatest city in the world and made the Yankee logo the most respected in sports.
Is he a hall of famer? You bet he is! He made an impact that is worthy of being in Cooperstown.
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Pats GM Chad Lang was a guest on Pete Paczko's Access 7 sports show "Sports Zone" last night. Lang knows he has a rebuilding job in front of him, but he feels he has a good core of players and that this team won't be as bad as what many think they will be. While he wouldn't say it, if you read between the lines, you could take him suggesting that perhaps there was a little Jordan Eberle jealousy and that with him out of the picture there is some excitement going into this year. I don't know how that could be the case and I have heard some things about graduating players and some returning players that I hope is not true, but it would be sad to think some on that team last year were slighted because they were on the same team as the best junior hockey player in Canada if not the world.
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Another guest on Pete's show was High Impact Wrestler Big Daddy Kash. This guy plays a great heel and gets abused by many of those in attendance (NOTE: My corner all cheers for Kash because of his smug heel-like persona). I asked him how he likes getting yelled at by everyone including the front row "ladies" of HIW. His response "They are all built like bags of laundry". That's a line I must remember. By the way, another evening of "culture" goes this Friday with the highlight being a battle royal. Black ties will not be needed for this affair.
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Great acquisition by the Dallas Stars. As far as I'm concerned, there is no better coach in the WHL than Willie Desjardins and I'm surprised he wasn't NHL bound before this. It won't be long until he is the head man somewhere.
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Big win for the Red Sox last night over Okotoks. They took the battle of division leaders 7-6. the two teams are supposed to meet tonight at Currie if the weather holds up.
3 comments:
I have heard these Eberle jealousy stories too. If some of these guys were that stupid to be jealous of someone like Jordan then its no wonder this team is where it is. I've heard that some of the ne'er do wells have moved on because of graduation with a couple going to play for the U of R. When one player is off to the NHL and two had their shot and have to settle for University, it should tell you something.
For the record, I don't think the Pats will be as bad as some people think, but I also know Chad has a lot of work to do to clean up the mess Brent left behind.
George Steinbrenner's open wallet is not the reason they won championships to the point people think it is. The Yankees since the beginning of baseball have had a farm system that is top of the line. If you really look at the dynasty years, the core of those teams have all been home grown talent. He adds the pieces. The White Sox and Cubs have TV deals that could do that too. The Blue Jays as well, but they are corporations, and will not do the win at all costs situation. The only comparable I would say would be Ted Turner as he'd open the wallet to get a player when needed.
If anyone says George Steinbrenner should be in the Hall of Fame then I immediately want Pete Rose in that conversation because he should be too. The 3 guys not in the Hall of Fame only due to petty politics is as follows; Pete Rose, George Steinbrenner, and Marvin Miller.
George Steinbrenner was good for baseball. He made mistakes, he atoned for them, and everyone benefitted. The Florida Marlins with their 2 World Series wins should send him the biggest wreath as the are the prime example of how his Yankees provided a small market like that revenue sharing so they could field a team.
Obama
Okay, let's examine that a little further. What exactly did those two soon-to-be Cougars accomplish when they were on the same line as Eberle? Lots of goals.
What did they accomplish when they weren't on Jordan's line? Exactly.
If there was ever two people who should be lifetime members of the Jordan Eberle fan club, it's them.
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