Some Interesting Links . . .

IMHO, the most important baseball story of the day was not the Mitchell report, but A-Rod turning on Scott Boras, calling the way Boras handled his contract negotiations with the Yankees "a huge debacle."   Not only is Boras' hold on A-Rod broken, but so is Boras' ability to hold teams hostage during contract negotiations.  When your biggest client busts you this bad, your reputation takes a dive.  Good for A-Rod!  Turns out he wasn't lying about wanting to stay in New York as he claimed all of last year.  It was Boras who lied to A-Rod about the level of the Yankees' interest in him!  Click here: The LoHud Yankees Blog » Blog Archive » A-Rod: “It was a huge debacle”

As for the Mitchell report, I agree with Peter Abraham that while Clemens (who denies the charges) takes a hit, as does Pettitte (to a much lesser degree), the report itself is a complete joke--hearsay and innuendo, mostly from two hangers-on. Click here: The LoHud Yankees Blog » Blog Archive » So, what did we learn today?.  I say if anyone tests positive for any performance enhancing substance, they receive a season-long suspension.  The second positive test should mean a ban for life.  The game has to be cleaned-up by scientific testing.  But busting players on hearsay is a joke.  As for Barry Bonds, his problems are with a grand jury and medical tests introduced as evidence in a court of law.  Not the same as Clemens and Pettitte being ratted out by a shady trainer who has every reason to lie to save his own skin.

For those of you who enjoyed my ranting about sermon subscription series, you'll love this hilarious parody over at Tom in the Box about a sermon writer's strike.  Click here: Tominthebox News Network - Religious Humor/Satire: Sermon Writers Guild Goes on Strike: Churchgoers Face Sermon Re

Finally, I can cut back on my Christmas shopping.  The Pope says too much consumerism a sin.  I think I'll take Andy's gift back to Petsmart.  Click here: Shun excessive materialism at Christmas, Pope says - Yahoo! News

Comments

[Alberto]

I would greatly appreciate a reponse since you're such a big fan of baseball Dr. Riddlebarger. Is it really immoral for a person to take performance enhancers? I absolutely see no reason why a person taking performance enhancers should be guilty of some wrongdoing, unless it involves the law or rules set up by an organization. As for the "What about the kids" argument, I think its ridiculous and bad.

[David]

Don't miss this important message from REVEREND BILLY. Watch the trailer!

http://ressourcement.blogspot.com/2007/11/what-would-jesus-buy.html

[Zrim]

If there is anything that grates more than PC tantrums over "Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!" it's the "reason for the season" rhetoric. Please, would everyone just have that second glass of eggnog and let poor Andy be the dog with a bone?

Zrim

[Ivan]

Is that an apology I hear coming from the A-Rod bashers who were piling-on...?

[Wayne Rohde]

Most important baseball story?

In my opinion, the question is an oxymoron!

Long live football and hockey. The real sports!

(From someone who hasn't watched a baseball game for two solid decades now. I felt the need to vent a little anger over all the strikes by overpaid jocks, and chose baseball as the object of my disdain! Now, after 20 plus years w/o baseball, I feel like I haven't missed a thing. And to think that steroids wasn't even on the issues radar back then...)

[RMW]

With regard to the MLB doping report, I think Americans, at least the ones who understand our judicial process, have come to expect certains rights, even from "voluntary" organizations, such as MLB and the NCAA. Chief among these rights are due process and the right to confront your accuser. In this case, as Ken notes, a lot of potentailly unreliable statements are used as an excuse to sully careers. The statements might turn out to be true, but if they aren't, we know that a lie travels around the world before the truth puts on its boots. The NCAA uses similar tactics in determining the "truth."

[Robin]

"The Pope says too much consumerism a sin."

Popemeister has got nerve. I mean, look at that cocktail dress and all the big jewelry he's wearing! Not to mention the priceless art treasures decorating the Vatican.

[Ivan]

Thanks Robin,
At least there is not an insane amount of $$ and fan fare spent on the Pope whenever he comes to town!

No mam, no commercialism towards the Pope whatsoever!
Insert big wink right about here...

Thanks Robin!