FROM THE LIPS OF GUILLEN

Well somehow he made it three days in keeping his trap somewhat closed.  That's three days in the Windy City for a man known to be full of a lot of hot air.  And just who would that be, you're asking?  The man that made Chicago famous, or so he thinks....Ozzie Guillen.

It's been about ten months now since the working relationship of manager Ozzie and Chicago White Sox General Manager ended.   If you remember back to the end of the 2011 season, Guillen couldn't get out of town fast enough.  He jettisoned the Chicago area with several games yet to be played, hell bent to head to the Land of Oz, better known as Miami, Florida.

Always some explaining to do

All seemed just about perfect in the beginning.  Ozzie was helping introduce a new ballpark to the area, he had a new team name, the Miami Marlins and not Florida Marlins and he helped grab a couple of free agent jewels in shortstop Jose Reyes and pitcher Mark Buehrle.  But then the season started.  A little over a week into the season, this was the news taken from an account from the Christian Science Monitor.

 "An unusually subdued Ozzie Guillen addressed the media Tuesday morning, just minutes after the Miami Marlins suspended him five games for comments praising Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.  This is the biggest mistake so far in my life", said a tired-looking, slightly perturbed Guillen, who conducted the hour-long press conference mostly in Spanish.  "If I don't learn from this, then I will call myself dumb".  The Marlins hired me to manage a ball club, not talk about politics", he added.  "I'm very guilty, very sad and very embarrassed".  The fracas started over the weekend, when Time magazine published an interview on its website in which the Marlins skipper said he "loved" Castro.  "I respect Fidel Castro.  You know why?  A lot of people have wanted to kill Fidel Castro for the last 60 years, but that (expletive) is still here".

Needless, to say, the Marlins distanced themselves from Guillen and his remarks, but he remained manager after serving his 5-game suspension.  The question is, how much longer will he be around?    

We've just endured a three-game series between the Marlins and the Chicago Cubs with Ozzie receiving the lion share of the coverage.  The man was back in town.  What would he say next?  Actually not much.  But you can rest assured Marlins management laid down some rules of engagement before the series began.  Keep it simple and talk sports, Ozzie.  And from most reports, he received the message.   That despite his ball club playing lackluster baseball in dropping two contests in the three game series.  Somewhat quietly, the Marlins packed their bags and left town on Thursday and somehow, a major meltdown was avoided.  His major thrust came at his former bosses, the White Sox.  Guillen did not argue that a change was needed after last year, but stopped short of saying the Sox were better off without him.  Say what?    

But it's just a question of  time.   When will Ozzie offer up his opinion on some subject he has no business commenting on? When will he blast a Marlins player and step over the line of manager-player respect? Or when will his two sons re-emerge with their twitter remarks concerning their father and his treatment or something related to the team itself.  Yes, it's bound to happen.  Frankly, I'll be surprised if he makes it through the season.  If  Miami owner Jeffrey Loria can fire Joe Giradi despite winning manager of the year honors with the Marlins in 2006, then replacing Guillen with a field boss the community can accept will be a walk in the park, so to speak.

Without Guillen's personality, the White Sox have enjoyed a relaxed attitude in 2012.  Players are having fun again and new manager Robin Ventura has brought a calming effect to the clubhouse.  It's a shame Mark Buehrle's in Florida and not in Chicago to enjoy this season.  Frankly, he has too much class and is well respected  by his peers not to.  Something Ozzie can only dream about in his Land of Oz.

Thanks for reading,

John                


  

FORTE CONTRACT CONCERNS AND MORE

Chicago Bear running back, Matt Forte, sounded hopeful of a new contract Friday when asked if the Monday deadline was a concern.  In fact, he went on to say, that always the optimist, Forte sees a light at the end of the tunnel.  I'm not so sure.

The Bears hold nearly all the cards.  And, if a deal does get done, it will have to be Forte that caves and not the Bears.  Rewind to March 2nd, the day Chicago placed the franchise tag on their star running back.  It was from that pointed date, that the team dug itself in for the long haul.  Signing running back Michael Bush in free agency was another.  Was 2011 a down year for Forte?  Hardly.  Although a season-ending knee injury raised some durability questions from management.

Will Forte strut his stuff again in Chicago?

Forte still got selected to his first Pro Bowl, finishing with 1,487 yards from scrimmage and 997 rushing in his fourth season. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry. Forte was the first Chicago running back to make it to the Pro Bowl since Neal Anderson following the 1991 season.

Forte came into last season looking for an extension, but did not reach an agreement with the Bears.

Forte was reportedly offered a deal that guaranteed about $13 million or $14 million, but might have been looking for something closer to the five-year, $43 million contract with $21 million guaranteed that Carolina gave DeAngelo Williams.

"Matt is an important part of our football team and we chose to utilize the franchise tag to ensure he remains a Bear," Bears general manager Phil Emery said. "We believe in Matt as a player and a person. Our intention is to continue to work to find common ground and keep Matt as a member of the Chicago Bears in 2012 and beyond." 

Do the Bears want Forte back?  No question.  But not for the money he'd hoped for.  New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees spent most of his off-season bickering with management over his contract.  Friday he received his big payoff with a 5-year $100 million dollar deal.  The difference is with Brees, he held control over the Saints BECAUSE he was the quarterback,  not running back.  Without Brees, the Saints were toast and everyone knew that.  So here we are, two days away from a deadline for Matt Forte.  The Bears appear content to go to battle with quarterback Jay Cutler and his new toys at wide receiver, Brandon Marshall and Ashton Jeffery.  And a running back that will run hard between the tackles by the name of Bush, not Forte. UPDATE:  CBS Sports is reporting the Bears and Forte are close to an agreement (4 p.m. CT Saturday).  That leaves a little less than 48 hours to come to an agreement before the 4 p.m.. ET deadline on Monday. UPDATE TO THE UPDATE:  Forte and Bears agreed to a 4-Year $32 million dollar deal Monday.

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The Chicago Blackhawks have been less than successful this off-season in changing the looks of their team.  General Manager Stan Bowman has been taking big heat for his shortcomings at making some kind of a deal.  The addition of defenseman Sheldon Brookbank is hardly what fans were clamoring for.  Hawk Nation wants some changes that make their team a Stanley Cup contender again.  Chicago swung and missed at goalie Martin Brodeur and came up short in their runs at defenseman Ryan Suter and winger Zach Parise.  Now, it looks like center Shane Doan will reject the Indian Head sweater and stay in Phoenix. Unless Bowman shows some guile and grit in making a deal, this could be another frustrating year for Chicago fans.  Frankly it's hard to understand the hesitations of Bowman.  He stocked his farm system with some impact players when forced to trade off a number of stars several years ago.  It's time to use those assets and deal.  In no special order,  the Hawks need a 2nd line center, a defenseman and an answer in goal.  Bowman has been slow in his dealings, the type of maneuverings that will ultimately get him fired.  The Hawks management has shown cracks in their armor since winning the Cup.  The question is this.  How much longer will owner Rocky Wirtz be patient?  Stay tuned.   

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It looks like the Chicago Bulls will match Omer Asik's 3-year $25.1 million dollar contract offer from the Houston Rockets in the coming days.  Not sure why.  Aren't there some other retreads they could pick up for less money and less years.  Isn't Granville Waiters available?  Hello, Granville, where are you?.....Cubs fans are delirious with  their new star, 1st baseman Anthony Rizzo.  Rizzo might be everything they hoped for.  Nice swing and plays with great energy.....and look for the team to unload Ryan Dempster soon.  For some reason I keep seeing the Yankees as his final destination.  But don't count out Detroit.....and speaking of arms.  The White Sox need to add a left-handed reliever to their bullpen mix.  Toronto Blue Jay Darren Oliver would be an awesome pickup.  But it appears he's one everyone wants.  GM Kenny Williams made a great steal with Kevin Youkilis several weeks ago.  Oliver would provide great depth to the pen.  Kenny??? You back from Egypt yet?

Thanks for reading, 

John 

   

MLB ALL-STAR THOUGHTS AND ALL THAT'S JUNK

Tuesday night in Kansas City, we get the 83rd version of Major League Baseball's  mid-season all-star attraction, the Midsummer Classic.  To date, the National League has won 42 games, the American League 38 and there have been two ties.  The first Major League All-Star game was played on July 6, 1933 in Comiskey Park in Chicago.  It was initiated at the insistence of Arch Ward,  sports editor for the Chicago Tribune, to coincide with the celebration of Chicago's Century of Progress Exposition.  For over seventy three years, the "Midsummer Classic", has remained a fan favorite showcasing the top talent in major league baseball.

Who will this year's winner be and who will gain home field advantage in the World Series?  I have to go with the American League. As you glance at the starting lineup for the American All-Stars you have to be impressed by the sheer power they bring to the plate.  My gosh, you have David Ortiz from the Boston Red Sox hitting seventh and Curtis Granderson batting ninth.  Here is the lineup: 1. SS Derek Jeter
2.2B Robinson Cano 3  LF Josh Hamilton  4. RF Jose Bautista  5. 1ST  Prince Fielder 6. 3B Adrian Beltre
7. DH David Ortiz  8. C Mike Napoli  9. CF Curtis Granderson.  San Francisco Giant's hurler Matt Cain will face this murder's row with the starting nod he received Monday .

The National League will counter with:
1. DH Carlos Gonzalez 2. CF Melky Cabrera 3. LF, Ryan Braun 1ST Joey Votto RF Carlos Beltran,
C Buster Posey 3RD Pablo Sandoval 2B Dan Uggla and SS Rafael Furcal.  Detroit Tiger Justin Verlander gets the start for the American Leaguers.

Not only do I think the American League has the distinct advantage from its starting lineup, the bench strength clearly is in favor of the junior circuit.  Names like Adam Dunn, Miguel Cabrera, Mike Trout, Paul Konerko, Joe Mauer and Mark Trumbo head the list.  The Senior circuit will be able to offer the likes of Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen and the Met's David Wright....but I just don't think it will be enough. In addition to all the firepower offensively the American League has, they also have power arms in David Price of Tampa Bay, Felix Hernandez of Seattle and Chris Sale of the White Sox.  Hold on to your calculators, we might have the highest scoring game in All-Star history.  The current record holder is the game on July 7, 1998 at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, the home of the Colorado Rockies of the National League.  The game resulted in the American League defeating the National League 13-8.  It was (and remains) the highest-scoring All-Star game in MLB history.

A possible MVP candidate

One Man's Junk is Another's Treasure

A good friend of mine texted me the other day that he thought the White Sox's addition of Kevin Youkilis to their lineup won't make much difference in the long run.  "He's junk", he said.  "He can't hit and he's too old".  Mind you, this is coming from a Detroit Tiger fan, so I couldn't let this pass, could I?.  "Yeah, like Belly Valverde isn't something to behold, right?", I countered.  And the discussion was on.  We had about a ten minute phone conversation about both teams...but the lingering thought I came away with was, "one man's junk is another man's treasure".  You can look around either league and wish to have a certain player join your team...but also hope that your general manager doesn't go out and do something stupid and pick up someone you've always been down on.  Well, get ready, the second half of the long season begins at the end of the week and there might be someone new coming to town.  Your town that is.....

Thanks for reading,

John

ANNOYED TIGER, SUPERMAN AND BIG BEN

Tiger Woods being annoyed is becoming a commonplace occurrence.  His recent mention of annoyance came after winning the AT & T Championship this past weekend.  He's annoyed with the media, the fans and just about anyone who comes into his space.  Here are some remarks after a Tournament of Players Championship in March.  

Want further evidence that Tiger Woods’ biggest problem is the space between his ears?  After nearly shooting himself out of another tourney in the first round yesterday at the TPC Sawgrass, he actually cried about fans shooting him with their camera phones in his backswing: “Just put it on silent. It’s not that hard. It can cost guys’ tournaments."  C'mon man.  Is this  really a guy that we all used to glorify as the mentally toughest athlete on the planet.  We couldn't have been more wrong.  And neither could he be about this.  People taking your picture isn't the reason you're not winning tournaments.  It's your jacked up driver, broken putter and lame iron work.  And oh your infected dome and shattered confidence too.  This guy has never looked or sounded worse than he does right now.  Okay, he's done better since the TPC, on that course that is.  I'm not sure if he has made many strides off.  And speaking of annoyances.  Is there any bigger one right now than Dwight Howard, the one dubbed "Superman".

Howard, the Orlando Magic center who has spent this past year driving NBA fans nuts with his decisions, indecisions and flapping of his gums, is at it again.  Now he wants out of Orlando.  Again.  And this time he is saying the only team he wants to play for is the Brooklyn Nets.  From a public relations standpoint, this guy is awful.  Pure and simple.  Orlando, dump the guy and start over with your franchise.  Better days are ahead. And best of luck to Brooklyn, if that's where he ends up.  I can think of a few ideas for a new nickname for the dude, but none are too pretty and there isn't any speck of "Super" that goes along with it.  

A not so Gentle Ben during his playing days

Ben Davidson, the hulking defensive end who starred for the Oakland Raiders in the 1960s before becoming a famous television pitch man, has died. He was 72.

Davidson died Monday night. He was being treated for prostate cancer. Former Raiders coach John Madden first reported Davidson's death Tuesday on KCBS radio in San Francisco.  Davidson spent 11 years in pro football, starting with the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins in the NFL before joing the Raiders in the AFL in 1964.

After his playing career, Davidson became a successful actor with roles in films like "M-A-S-H," "Conan the Barbarian" and "Necessary Roughness" and he played himself in Miller Lite ads.  The first Lite commercials aired in 1973 and starred the likes of football greats Matt Snell and Ernie Stautner and mystery writer Mickey Spillane.  Davidson was an additional mainstay to the success of the beer giant's ad campaign.  Over the course of the next decade, the company shot more than 80 commercials and the roster of the "Lite All-Stars" boasted  nearly 40 celebs and sports icons.  John Madden, Billy Martin, Rodney Dangerfield, Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Dick Butkus, Bubba Smith and Bob Uecker were just a few of the Lite regulars.

Thanks Ben for some great memories.

Thanks for reading,

John