“Olympic Scandal-Epic Proportions”

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You think of Russia, you think of its history.

You remind yourself of its leaders, what they did to their country, what they did to the world, what they did in the war.

This generation thinks of Russia and thinks of its leader Putin, corruption, graft, scandal, forced takeovers of neighboring countries.

History remembers Gorbachov and the breakup of the Soviet block, and President Reagin’s request “take down that wall”, and it did come down.

The past generations would remember Nikita Kruschev, and the USSR, and the military state of existence as the USSR.

Our fathers generation knew of Russia, and the regime of Josef Stalin, the wars, the deaths, the agrarian and mechanized society.

As the Olympics appear before us, we remember Russia, and its athletes.

The most famous was the Red Army hockey team, that lost in the Lake Placid Olympics. More recently, we think of the greatness of its gymnastics teams, or its basketball teams.

And now another horrific issue, involving Russia, a doping scandal of epic proportions.

The IOC is about to ban all Russian athletes from competing in the next few weeks from Rio, after the World Anti Doping Agency, (WADA), uncovered a massive state-run drug testing cheating campaign.

Over 311-tainted drug tests, hidden by Russians, replaced by other samples, that were turned over to WADA. More than 150-athletes in all, in various sports, allowed to compete in Moscow and in Sochi, eventhough coaches and administrators knew they were dirty. At least 31-gold medals won by those athletes in a a wide variety of sports.

Putin refuses to comment on the nearly 2-year probe. The scandal stretches back at least five years in this probe, but who knows how really far back it goes.

The remnants of cheating goes as far back as East Germany and the Olympics in the 1970s.

Russia would not be the first country banned from the Olympics. It’s happened before. South Africa went thru a decade long banishment because of aparthied. Afghanistan, because of its ties to the Taliban. India, because of bribery charges. And off course, post World War II, Germany and Italy.

We’ve had the US boycott in the Carter administration. And of course, the IOC and FIFA is reeling because of the the bribery and kickback financial scandals, unveiled in the last year.

Professionalism and big business are not at the intersection of the Olympic games. Gone forever is the linked rings logo that used to symbolize amateurism.

The simple solution is quite complex. Independent global testing, not done by a country’s federation. But to execute it in a timely fashion, leading into the games, is a logistical nightmare.
Testing in Boston is not the same as testing in Kiev. Testing in Congoville, may not be as easy as testing in Copenhagen. And it goes on an on.

There are clean athletes in Russia, not tainted by all this. A move to allow them to compete ‘unattached’ as independents, running and jumping without wearing a uniform with a flag, was proposed. But there is so much anger now over the depths and the tentacles of those who ran and financed this massive scandal in Russia, the bitterness will not subside.

We’ll watch America’s great swimmer, the Japanese gymnasts, the brilliant Ethiopian distance runners, but things just won’t feel the same.

The world athletics federations feel betrayed again. From Stalin to Putin, nothing seems to have changed in Russia, style, personality or methodology.

“Caught Stealing in Baseball-What About NFL”

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Caught strealing, in the broadest sense of the term in baseball.

That’s how to describe what happened last night to the St. Louis Cardinals, and now we await sanctions against them.

Scouting Director Chris Correa, fired earlier this year, was sentenced to nearly 4-years in prison for hacking the scouting computers of the Houston Astros, months after the Astros hired new GM Jeff Luhnow, a former Cardinals front office exec.

Correa got entry into the confidential files Luhnow had set up for scouting, negotiations offers, health ledgers and personal Emails about trade reports and draft rankings. Information that was for “Astros eyes only” employees.

It was a borderline federal offense, and Correa was lucky the prison term was not stiffer.

In this era of ballclub espionage, I guess we can only wait and see if something like this happens in the NFL, where CIA-tactics are employed on a daily basis.\

Talking more than just about Spygate or Deflate-Gate on field issues.

You have to believe, with all the smark people employed by NFL clubs, that there is a computer hacker amongst their ranks, whose job is to ferret out information about competing teams.

Imagine the wealth of information stored in those data files, from game plans, to player reports, to contract information.

Yes the NFL has dealt harshly with cheats, just ask the New England Patriots. A franchise that has been tagged 3X-by the league office. Youdo remember the Bill Parcells-Bill Belicheck job swap? No one can forget the Patriots-Jets spygate caper. And of late, inflated footballs and coverups.

The Patriots lead the NFL in front office fines and draft pick sanctions.

Maybe the baseball Cardinals incident is a one time incident with a rogue employee, thought many doubt that. Not many can believe NFL front offices are clean either.\

Integrity of the game, utmost in importance. The Cardinals know that. Soemwhere down the road, we maybe find that out too about the NFL.

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“Swede Wins in Scotland”

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Playing golf next to the Irish Sea, on the Firth of Clyde, can be an experience.

In 4-days on the links course at Troon, the golfers experienced all four seasons. Sunshine and low scores on Thursday. Driving rain on Friday. Winds of 25 miles an hour on Saturday. Biting cold for much of Sunday.

That, and the high grass along the fairways; the holes with 4-and 5-sand bunkers. The pot bunkers. The winds off the tee shots.

And of course, Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson.

They set records, so they can be broken. Stenson, the Swede, did just that, finishing the tourney with a 20-under par score of (264). 20-under par, in that weather, on that course, with the entire field chasing you.

The Swede wound up shooting a (63) on the final day. Mickelson, who did everything but win, shot a 65-and lost. This after his electric first day round of 63, within a lip cup of an all time British Open record 62. Or as Phil called it, a 62.5 score.

But he wore his emotions on his sleeve. Still frowning about Thursday’s finishing, then disconsolate in the interview tent on Sunday.

He did not credit Stenson for much of anything, and that is a disappointment, because what Henrik did was of the proportions of Tiger Woods, back in the day.

Stenson roared out of the gate with 4-birdies in 5-holes. They he clipped off 3-more birdies on the back nine, playing as cooly as the chilly weather. He put all the pressure on Mickelson, who kept making critical shots, as he got into scramble mode, trying to rally.

And the Swedish star, who had never won a major, sealed the deal with an amazing 51-foot birdie putt late, and put an exclamation point on his week, by nailing a 20-footer on the 18th hole.

It was exciting, it was glorious, it was well earned, for someone who has never been there.

For Mickelson, sometime soon he will feel good about his four days. It’s been 63-tourneys since he won a tournament, and that too in Scotland in the 2013-Open at Murifield.

But his career is still intact. He has not lost his love to compete. He is still the gambler, still the gamer, and still the fans man.

They’re likely still partying in Stockholm and other players ‘over there’. In Scotland, they’ll be talking about this one for awhile. Here in the US, we should welcome Mickelson back home, for putting on a great show, and informing one and all, the twilight of his career, is still down road.

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“Lefty is All Right-At Least on the Course”

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He remains the fan’s man.

The smile, the shot making, the self effacing comments.

And for 1-day, Phil Mickelson nearly touched history, in a career that has been tremendously rewarding.

What he did on the links course at Troon, Scotland was electrifying. The 8-under 63 round in the British Open was astounding. Not just because he has had a win drought stretching back to 3-years this week. But because if came in Scotland, where the weather and the winds are constantly changing. Where pot bunkers and birdies and bad rounds are more common place than birdies, eagles and smiles.

Mickelson shot a bogey free round, an accomplishment. He had 8-birdies, another amazing feat. He just missed his final putt, that lipped off the 18th cup, that would have given him a “62”, an all time record low round ever in the “The Open”. And this in a tourney that dates back 157-years. Think of that.

He hit shots out of bunkers that went up to the tee. He rammed home long distance 35-foot putts. And he nearly set the record that might stand forever there in the British Iles.

Mickelson’s last win came at Muirfield, this month, back in 2013.

His weeks on the tour have featured some good rounds, but not four days of great golf. His seasons of late have also featured high scores, missed cuts, and an appearance he is worn out, or disinterested.

His off course life has gone off track, with the insider trading scandal he got caught up in, and the forced repayment of over 1M in profits and penalties. And the latest transgression of having to pay off 2.7M of gambling debts, to a man convicted of money laundering that payment thru off-shore accounts, that led to a jail sentence.

But for 1-day, the British Open spotlight was on Mickelson, not so much on the world ranked number one guy Jason Day, nor Rory McIlroy, or young phenom Jordan Spieth.

There may never be another Tiger Woods sighting. And Mickelson is indeed the likely last vestige of that great era, which is making way for the new young global guns.

It was fun to watch, and you got the sense the world is still rooting for him to go get another Grand Slam event.

For 1-day at least, “Lefty was All Right”, and that was great to see.

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Padres-Mid Season Report Card

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The All Star game has come and gone, a glorious four days of baseball entertainment. Next up, the second half of a likely last place season for the Padres. The mid-season break saw the team get to the All Star game with a (38-51) record. Here are letter grades for what I saw, and what I think.

Ownership…They are all in with the baseball leadership, headed by AJ Preller. If you had doubts about the GM, you would not have allowed him to invest 73M in the acquisition of 43-draft picks and international free agents in the last month. That financial commitment is impressive, as well as their determination to make Petco Park a ‘crowned jewel’ place for family fun.
Grade (A)

GM…AJ Preller has been given carte-blanche to fix the team. They have drafted well, and have spent alot in the Latin American free agent market. Only three years will tell us if he made the right choices and overpaid on a key collection of Cubans, Venezuelans and players from the Dominican. But his mis-steps in all his initial trades, and the U-turn in philosophy is his second off season of acquisitions makes you wonder if he really has a blueprint. Rumors are everywhere he has issues with ownership about blowing thru budgets. You are what your record says you are, a poor organization right how. Grade (D).

Manager..Andy Green has kept the team focused, competitive, aggressive and playing on an edge. He has had a couple of meltdowns, but seems to be the type of guy you’d want in a foxhole next to you. He has followed thru on his promises of how he wanted the game played, And he has instilled pride in those he puts on the field. They play hard. Grade (B).

Wil Myers…Has grown into a role of a rock solid young pro who can hit with some power….Gifted around lst base….Team needs a leader and a personality, something he needs to grow into ..Grade (A)

Cory Spangenberg…Three leg injuries have ruined his season, but he was elevating himself in eyes of manager with his style of hustle….Based on potential when healthy (B)

Alexi Ramirez…Still gifted with the glove, but no longer what he was in young White Sox days with the bat….Grade (C)

Yangervais Solarte…A surprise player who has developed by being in the lineup….Grinds hard with the glove…makes things happen with the bats…having career season…Grade (B).

Alexi Amirista…No longer same player, just a utility man now at best, having been sent to minors twice…serviceable…Grade (C).

Brett Wallace…Got lost in the shuffle…Elite pinch hitter last year, has had to play lots of positions which took edge off his bat…Think he is better than (.170) hitter…Proud worker..Grade (D)

Adam Rosales…Does hustle-loves the game…Not much with glove…sometimes dangerous with bat….bench players don’t win pennants…Everybody needs 25th player on roster..Grade (D)

Derek Norris…Not the season we expected on offense nor defense after flashes last year…Love his attitude-edge-leadership….Grade (C)

Christian Bethancourt….Can hit some…Not much of a catcher…now you see why Atlanta gave up on him…still some future ahead of him…Grade (C)

Melvin Upton…Could qualify as “Comeback Player of Year” if he keeps hitting…seeing flashes of what he used to be in Tampa, but that’s years back..Grossly overpaid….Really distant player and personality type, but this has been good half……..Grade (B).

John Jay…Having really good year…quiet individual-let’s bat-glove do talking…solid major leaguer headed to free agency…Grade (B)

Matt Kemp…Not what he used to be, though he has played really hard…seems finally healthy, but that’s alot of money (21M) for someone to hit in .250’s with some homers….Grade (C)

Travis Jankowski….Sparkplug young guy…Plays hard..yet to show major league bat, but everything else is positive about him…..Super utility man..Grade (B)

Ryan Schimpf…Just glad to be here after banging around minor leagues…not hitting but that’s who he was also in minors…Grade (D)

Jabari Blash…All the hype of someone who strikes out…Poor man’s Kyle Blanks…struggling at AAA….Grade (F)

Alex Dickerson..Has done everything he can in minors with productive bat-just needs lots of AB’s in the show…Grade (C)

Jemile Weeks..Has never regained stature of what he was with A’s when he broke in, then broke down once he got the chance (D)

Drew Pomeranz….The find of the season…Matured into trustworthy starter…Strong first half…becoming lead guy though not a Kershaw-Bumgarner…Grade (B)

Christian Friederich…Maybe getting away from Coors Field has made a difference…does compete…just half season sample size…Grade (C)

Andrew Cashner…So much expected-very little delivered the last two years, and now headed to exit via free agency…Wished there was more considering whom they traded to get him…Grade (D).

Colin Rea…..Pitched well early…not so well late…does not get ruffled by bad innings, but not convincing starts over the last months…Grade (C)

Cesar Vargas…Pitched very competively in first group of starts, then it all caught up with him…might be better long man than starter…Grade (C)

Tyson Ross…1-start then arm issues after two solid seasons….If healthy, lead dog in rotation, but he has yet to come back….Basing this on past contribution…Grade (B)

Erik Johnson…Winless here after hardly winning in Chicago…For 6th year pro-looks like a washout…now hurt…Grade (F).

Luis Perdomo…There is upside here…learning to pitch on job…has yet to figure out how to avoid catastrophic inning though…Keep him healthy…Pleasant surprise for a guy jumping from Class A-ball….Grade (B).

Brandon Mauer…Found himself after getting put back in bullpen…His turn to see if he can be closer…Mentally tough guy-really gets heated up on mound…Grade (B)

Matt Thornton…Missed chunk of time with spring training injury, pitching okay in mop-up role…not what he used to be…Grade (C)

Brad Hand..Hard to believe Miami gave up on him…Real trustworthy role pitcher out of pen..lots of innings…Grade (B)

Ryan Buchter…Journeyman minor leaguer-has blossomed….let’s see if second half can be just as effective…Grade (B)

Kevin Quackenbush…Career seems stalled-plagued by home run ball…finding niche as 8th inning guy but not difference maker…Grade (C)

Robbie Erlin…Tough break with elbow surgery…softoss kid who competes…now out a year with elbow surgery….Grade (C)

Carlos Villanueva…Really disappointed…way too many home runs..thought he could be next Dale Thayer…Grade (D)

James Shields…Costly mistake, what they paid him, what they are paying Chicago to take him, what they got for him…Disaster….Big Game James has to prove he was not Big Game Fraud….Grade (D)

Fernando Rodney….Nice pickup-now in a pennant race…Fearless of any failure….Good teammate…Grade (A)..

Jose Dominguez…Just a guy….Grade (C).

Michael Kirkman…Here and gone…Grade (F)

Lyonel Campos;..Not ready for prime time..Grade (D)

Tayron Guerrero….See Campos story…Grade (D)

Keith Hessler…Who..Grade (F)

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Grade Scale: (A) 4-points..(B) 3…(C) 2…(D) 1..(F) 0.

Mid Term Report…. 39-players….3-upper management grades….Total (84-points)….Grade Point for entire organization (2.0) for first half of season..
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Grade “C”.

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