Reduce, recycle, reuse: ARod

Note: This was written by Newspaperman before the Alex Rodriguez aka Purple Lips interview by PeterGammons at ESPN at CardboardIcons. – The Jon

Am I wrong for not being passionate about the steroids issue?
This is the question I am asking myself after hearing the news that Alex Rodriguez tested positive in 2003 for using two steroids. Some fans are furious; others see this as a no-brainer issue. For me, I’m intrigued, but not so much that I am ready to write some 5,000-word diatribe expressing my disgust for A-Rod and the game of baseball.

I guess the way I see it now is the same as I have seen it for the last five years — it happened, it is a part of the game’s history and we cannot dismiss the era completely.

Baseball purists are the ones who are the most angry about this because they think this is a black eye for baseball. But did it ruin the game? No.

Newspaperman: The Karate Kid video history

It all started simple enough. Newspaperman in the deep throes of watching one of his many sweethearts have a good game, e-mailed The Jon. In this case it was Joey Votto’s three homer game Wednesday. This is a rough quote:
“Monster, baby. Monster. Three jacks in three at-bats, four RBIs, three runs, a walk and a stolen base. I have to change my panties!”

It was then The Jon finally pinpointed who Newspaperman reminded The Jon of.

Daniel LaRusso. Yes, you read that right, Daniel-San.

Shut up, Al Sharpton

Al Sharpton throws the race card around more often than Newspaperman threw Jody Reed cards around in the mid-’80s. Of course this is not news to anyone. Any American who has owned a television over the past 20 years has seen the reverend stand up for African Americans he feels has been wronged many times over. In principal, I have no problem with famous people using their power to improve the rights of minorities and the oppressed. We all know the history of racial equality in America, and in baseball for that matter, has left a lot to be desired over the decades. However, for Sharpton, or anyone else to bring race into the equation in regards to steroids is ridiculous.

The Jon knows these things to be true

The Jon needs it to be a month from now. The Jon needs to draft. The annual first opening of the fantasy magazine on The Jon’s throne has already happened and it twas glorious. But as we head into Opening Day and a full day of beer and baseball, The Jon knows these things to be true (just like the headline … oohhhh).

Fantasy Baseball and Hannah Montana … Thank You!

What do these two things have in common? Well, according to The Sporting News fantasy magazine, everything. Look, The Jon likes the mag, he uses it. Respects it even. But when some hump writer feels that it is funny that some snot-nosed singer can be an intro to third basemen rankings, he’s a filippin’ hack.

I can handle the truth … regardless of what it is

I am not sure what to think anymore.

After watching my boyhood idol Roger Clemens testify before Congress this morning, I’m as confused as ever.

If you ask Clemens, he flat out denies it. Not with a finger wag like Rafael Palmeiro did a few years ago, but with a deathly stare, one similar to the one we’ve seen him use on the mound all of these years.

Fernando Vinatastic knows rap

After mesmerizing audiences last week, Fernando Vinatastic goes from the Gridiron and Brett Favre to the rap game. Check this video out at the 3:37 minute mark unless you like Jermaine Dupri and PuffDaddyPDiddyWhatever his name is.

Poi Dog: By popular demand, we are back with the second installment of our series of interviews with Fernando Vinatastic. Fernando, how are you doing today?

Vinatastic:OK, maybe.

Threads of greatness

Shame on me for never not thinking about this before, but as I got dressed this morning I suddenly realized that three of my baseball jerseys are of players who are suspected of using performance enhancing drugs. I know Oz will love the McGwire jersey, as Big Mac punked him as a little kid. The Jon will love Bonds because he never mentions his name. The only other baseball player jersey sitting in my closet is David Ortiz (Thanks George Mitchell) … which I guess I’ll be wearing to this year’s fantasy draft. Afterall, got to represent my Red Sox.

‘Roids ruined this game too

Jan. 28, 2008

It hurts. I tell you, when I got word in December that my boyhood idol Roger Clemens was going to be mentioned in the Mitchell Report, I was a bit miffed. But that’s a discussion for another time. What the investigation into the performance enhancing drugs has done is made me wonder where this leaves us fantasy players. Due to the effects of the contraband, statistics were inflated and in a round about way it left us fantasy players a bit jaded. Because the game we play is based solely on statistics, we’ve come accustomed to home runs in pairs, five-RBI nights, double-digit strikeout totals and just complete dominance of the game. Now that we’re entering a new (clean) era of the sport, one chock full of young, unproven talent, what should we expect? Will we see a dip in power categories, both at the plate and on the mound? Should we expect that all players will be four- and five-tool guys? And should we simply shy away from guys who are being investigated in connection to performance enhancing drugs? The future is unclear, that’s for sure. But what is certain is that the game itself is changing, and fantasy owners need to be cognizant of that when they prepare for their drafts. This could be where we start to see a separation between the men and the boys in terms of fantasy GMs. The ones who cannot adapt to the situation will fall and those who can will rise. The ability to adapt to any situation is crucial to succeed in anything.