The Republic of Sport

bonzo

bonzo's Comments

Posted Friday July 24, 2009, About: Phillies conflicted over Halladay

It surprises me that the Phillies havn't made this deal yet. Would you rather have the capabilities and the talent to win another World Series (or 2) NOW, or the potential to MAYBE win one down the road, when it's uncertain that the prospects will live up to expectations. You can't rest all your hopes on minor leaguers when you're a championship contender.

Also, it's possible that the key players on Phillies' current roster won't be around for when those prospects do show what they're truly made of. I hope most of them will stay around, but Victorino faces arbitration this winter, Werth the next year, and Ibanez's contract expires in 2011. Who knows if he'll be as good as he is at 37 when he's 39? If the Phillies win one or two more World Series with Halladay, I won't be complaining 5 years down the road, unless the Blue Jays turn the AL East on its head and win a championship of their own.

Posted Tuesday July 21, 2009, About: Braves unlikely to deal Vazquez

Why in the world would the Nationals trade Dunn for Vazquez? Vazquez costs too much money and would still be a far cry from fixing all the Nationals' problems. They don't need him; they need prospects - lots of them- and the Braves aren't in a situation to give any up. Keep dreaming; currently, there are 7 teams within 4.5 games of each other for the NL wild card, so the Braves have only a slim chance, even with Dunn. It's not like Hudson would have an immediate impact, whenever he returns.

Posted Tuesday October 28, 2008, About: Maddon isn't buying Blanton's story

Blanton has played with that "spot" on his hat all season. And people start talking about it now? Maddon is just a sore loser.

Posted Thursday August 14, 2008, About: Did 76ers overpay for Iguodala?

You could give him $100 mil and they'd still be crap.

EastCoastJessie | 08/14/08, 11:28 AM

Since when does increased salary lead to increased performance? Isn't usually the inverse in pro sports? It's amazing how many players tone it down after landing a big deal.

The fact is, there will always be *potential* superstars who may make a little more than they deserve. It's all driven by selfish players like Kobe and Arenas. Since they make so much $$$, lesser stars begin to think they deserve big money too. It's all about that desire to be the highest paid player, and it kills me. These guys make so much money that their kids can get by without working a day in their lives. Regardless, the Sixers did a good job securing Iggy for the future. Aside from a lack of outside shooting, the Sixers are a well-balanced team.

Posted Thursday July 24, 2008, About: Orioles consider dealing closer

And what doyou do next year? I mean you should try and keep the parts that are working at some point.

AllStarz | 07/24/08, 12:52 PM

I was hinting that they should try and maybe get a starter for Sherrill. If they want to hold onto him that's fine, but if they expect to somehow compete next year they need to make starting pitching their biggest priority this offseason.

Posted Thursday July 24, 2008, About: Orioles consider dealing closer

The Orioles should trade Sherrill. It makes no sense having a decent closer when they don't even have decent starters.

Posted Thursday July 24, 2008, About: Will Washburn veto Yankees deal?

SO WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE!?!!?!?

Yankee64 | 07/24/08, 12:06 PM

I'm just asking you to SHUT UP! Pride come before a fall.

Posted Thursday July 24, 2008, About: Will Washburn veto Yankees deal?

ECK, if you have to go back 45 years to find a guy who got a raw deal from NY fans, what does that tell you?

Yankee64 | 07/24/08, 10:37 AM

You don't even have to look that far. You look at A-Rod the last few years, and he's been booed an incredible amount of times. Even after winning an MVP last year, he still got booed. Granted, he did underachieve in the postseason, but so did the entire team. You can't simply blame A-Rod alone for the entire team's failures. Jeter, Posada, and Matsui did even worse than A-Rod at the plate, but I didn't see anyone shouting and pointing fingers at them. This is ridiculous.

You Yankees fans can think whatever you want about your beloved team, but just keep it to yourself. The last thing I need to hear is Yankees this, Yankees that, and don't tell me "Well, it's the truth." I've heard enough about the Yankees. I'm still going to root for my Phillies, through thick and thin, no matter how terrible they might be.

As for Washburn, so what if he might veto this trade? The fact is, he's not doing that great, and doesn't deserve that much attention. He's not going to make the Yankees any better.

Posted Tuesday July 22, 2008, About: Deng sets contract deadline

The Bulls should hold onto Deng, but they should trade Gordon. This team already has a zillion young guards, so they can afford to trade Gordon. They need to get better postup players. Drew Gooden won't exactly take them deep into the playoffs, and Noah hasn't proven anything yet. The Bulls really need inside help.

Posted Tuesday July 22, 2008, About: Braves trading Teixeira to Angels?

CanofOil, it's illegal to rule someone guilty by insanity. You need to get a new job.

I may be wrong, but I think Teixeira's contract expires this offseason, so maybe the Braves will try to resign him after another team makes a trade so as to make a playoff run.

Posted Monday July 21, 2008, About: Burrell unhappy with manager

It's certainly not the reason they lost the game, but if Burrell were in there they certainly would have stood a better chance. The Phillies made a lot of mistakes and missed plenty of oppotunities this weekend, everything from baserunning to situational hitting to fielding to substitutions. This series brought out the worst in the Phillies.

Posted Monday July 21, 2008, About: Burrell unhappy with manager

Sir Robin,

Greg Luzinski was an exceptionally bad outfielder, not to mention he was terribly overweight. If he played outfield today, he would make Manny look like Andruw Jones. Yes, Burrell is not the best left fielder, but he hasn't made any glaring mistakes out there lately. Second, the Phillies won the World Series three years later, and reached another World Series three years after that, so there was no reason to dwell on Luzinski's blunder. Unlike the current Phillies team, the Phillies of the late '70s and early 80's were able to put past mistakes behind them and win big games. It's a shame the current Phillies don't treat every game with importance.

Posted Monday July 21, 2008, About: Warriors eye Sixers guard

Williams is restricted. He'll stay with the Sixers. This kid will only get better.

Posted Monday July 21, 2008, About: Redskins expect Taylor for long-term

Jason Taylor will make the NFC East even more interesting to watch. This division could very well take both wildcard spots this year, but we'll just have to wait and see.

Posted Monday July 21, 2008, About: Phillies, Rockies discuss blockbuster

They were talking about this deal on the radio (610 WIP) yesterday, and "sources" were saying that the Phillies would give up Victorino, Carasco, and one or two other players I can't remember. This deal wouldn't be worth it. The Phillies would have nowhere to put Holliday, and they don't need Fuentes. If the Phillies trade Victorino, they have no other good centerfielders. Bad idea.

Posted Monday July 21, 2008, About: Burrell unhappy with manager

Actually, Bruntlett is a utility player

UtleyMVP08 | 07/21/08, 09:38 AM

I know, but that doesn't mean he's good at it. They had Taguchi just sitting there on the bench yesterday. He may be terrible this year, but he's a much better outfielder.

Posted Monday July 21, 2008, About: Burrell unhappy with manager

Sir Robin,

If the Braves are so great, why are they 6 games below .500?

Posted Monday July 21, 2008, About: Burrell unhappy with manager

The Rockies won't take Burrell. His contract expires this offseason. They want players they'll be able to hold onto for a while.

Posted Monday July 21, 2008, About: Phillies manager seethes after loss

we need to bench Rollins for a game or two after the Mets series....he looks totally lost and disinterested since winning his damn MVP

Phitin Phils | 07/21/08, 09:08 AM

I don't know if they need to go that far, but you're right about Rollins showing lack of interest. That play yesterday where he didn't hustle to second base, missing the chance to go to thrid, is one of the many ways in which the Phillies blew the game yesterday.

What's also killing me is the team's laid-back attitude. If you read the rest of the article, Rollins says, "He's [Manuel] pretty much right, but we'll get out of it... We don't get concerned until late. Coaches do that now. We go play." Obviously, Jimmy hasn't noticed that his team is in a tie for first place, but slipping fast. I'm tired of this "second-half team," "we still have time" BS. This team was cruising 6 weeks ago, with a comfortable lead over the division. Instead, they have a HUGE series with the Mets coming up, and they very easily could get swept. The Philies still have a chance, but Jimmy is making some pretty hefty assumptions if he thinks they'll cakewalk the rest of the season. They can't be resting on the laurels of last year's success. I can't help but shake my head in confusion at this point.

Posted Monday July 21, 2008, About: Burrell unhappy with manager

Burrell is one of those guys who will point to his outfield assists and claim that it shows he's a good fielder. Truth is, people run on him a lot because he's not. The number of assists just comes as a result of the greater than normal number of opportunities.

bill sl | 07/21/08, 06:59 AM

Burrell really isn't that bad of a left-fielder. Sure, he's a little slow and lacks mobility, but he catches everything that's in his range. He's yet to make an error this season. Outfield assists don't simply come from having a lot of opportunities. You have to actually execute the throw, and there aren't too many outfielders that can do that consistantly.

Regardless of whether or not Burrell is a good fielder, what he was really complaining about was that if he stayed in the game, he would've had the chance to bat in the 9th inning, with two men on base. Instead, Bruntlett struck out in his place. Burrell's been hot at the plate lately, so he deserves a chance to bat in a clutch situation. Second, Bruntlett is actually a shortstop, so he has no business playing in the outfield. If my job were taken by a guy who has little experience doing it, I'd feel insulted too. Considering how yesterday's game ended, Burrell has a right to complain.

Posted Thursday July 17, 2008, About: 'Zona commitment flees to Italy

Aside from the money, I don't understand why he's going to Italy. There's more exposure for a kid like him in the US, making him more likely to get an endorsement deal and remain a lottery pick. Only a small fraction of foreign players / players who went abroad before coming to the NBA, have endorsements in the US. Sure, this is true for the college kids too, but for a player of his caliber it's to his disadvantage. It's also a different style of basketball over in Europe. It's a much more finess game, so he'll have to make some adjustments FOR A SINGLE YEAR. It's not worth it.

Also, when the NBA changed the age rule, it should've been 2 years after high school because the players aren't taking their classes as seriously. They don't have to worry about meeting requirements for sophomore standing, so they can get away with taking classes like ballroom dancing and knitting. Just a total abuse of the colleges' resources. At least Jennings is being honest by skipping college altogether, but it sends a bad message to future prospects and the young fans.