Such a fierce rivalry. Two teams going in different directions.
Padres have won 14-of-17..a chunk of it after Winning the Trade Deadline
The Dodgers is a tailspin unlike anything we have seen in a decade, this (12-21) struggle.
Padres impact lineup and Gold Standard bullpen
The Dodgers with big money-big bats yet to regain their stroke, a bullpen that has blown 22-games, and a Max effort sterling starting rotation.
Of course, other teams other places doing great things.
How about Bernie Brewer and all things in Milwaukee? a 12-game win streak, and (15-1) surge and a (27-4) and (51-16) dominance since before the halfway mark.
Can Seattle keep this up after their trade deadline rentals to bring in bats? The Mariners have won 10-of-12.
Cleveland, with few big bats in their lineup, trying to storm back into a race with a (10-3) spurt.
Of course Toronto remains dominant, the Phillies-Astros-Cubs are all having good seasons too.
Six weeks left of big games and fights for first place and the wildcard race.
But here in So-Cal…is it Friday night yet? Is it August 15th yet? Can we get to Dodgers-Padres to start what should be a really great sports weekend.
That’s the headline we should be discussing because at this point there are lots of explanations that don’t add up. And this discussion is not about box scores, batting averages and pitching lines.
We are talking about another major off the field incident involving the Dodgers unicorn superstar Shohei Ohtani.
The story breaking late on Monday night that Ohtani and his agent Nez Balelo are being sued for millions by two Hawaiian developers, who spent 10-years formulating plans for a massive (240M) luxury home development on the Big Island-Hawaii.
The two allege that the agent, representing the superstar, went back on a marketing agreement to have Ohtani be a spokesman to sell the 7M- apiece-home mansions, and instead led a revolt that led to the firing of the founder of the real estate project and the lead sales agent.
It’s a massive charge of fraud and tortious business interference, they say engineered by Balelo, who works for the super agent business CAA.
Neither the Dodgers star, nor the agent, have responded to questions about the lawsuit.
But this is the same tandem that captured all the spring training headlines, when Ohtani’s personal aide was arrested, charged, and convicted of stealing 17M of Ohtani’s wealth to live a lavish lifestyle, that saw his gambling addiction pile up 40M in losses on sports bets.
Ohtani expressed shock at the theft, denial of any knowledge of what was happening, and cut off any future involvement with Ippei Mizuhara now imprisoned in Pennsylvania.
Balelo was nowhere to be found as this story evolved following the arrest of an Orange County gambling ringleader who was the middleman taking the Ohtani money.
Baseball cleared the Dodgers star of any wrongdoing. Eventually Ohtani held 1-press conference and made statements of ‘no knowledge’
He lets other people conduct his business and drive his wealth. He reportedly earns over 100M in endorsements in the US and Japan because of his baseball stardom.
The agent, who works behind the scenes, may be about to be dragged into the spotlight.
We know lots about the player, his love for the game, his dedication, and see his forever smile. But there now seems to be more and more ‘behind the curtain’ about Ohtani and his agent..
It begs the question, how come Ohtani has no knowledge of his wealth, his finances, and his business ventures?
Or maybe the bigger question, is ‘Who really is the Dodgers’ player-agent, and what does he stand for’, as we deal with a second Ohtani scandal in 6-months time?
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“Gruden-vs-NFL Lawsuit”
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Disposed-disgraced former Raiders-Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden, will have his day in court, maybe the Supreme Court, in his lawsuit against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, dating back to his firing as the Raiders head coach.
Gruden got dragged into the mud-and-slime of the NFL’s forced eviction of then Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, forced out for his ‘toxic workplace environment’
In the course of discovery, Emails were uncovered of critical Gruden comments about the league and Goodell, sent to his close friend, then Redskins GM-Bruce Allen.
The NFL forced the Raiders to fire Gruden, and the coach then sued the NFL and Goodell for leaking the Emails about racial issues and leadership issues in the NFL league office.
The NFL said any case with an employee had to go thru NFL arbitration, with the decision to be made bhy Goodell actng as Judge-Jury arbitrator. Gruden re-sued. The Nevada Supreme Court sided with him, with strong language directed at the NFL Commissioner.
Here is a summary of the Monday afternoon decision, for a firefight that is obviously not over, via NBC Sports.
———
Jon Gruden made a Hail Mary pass in the Nevada Supreme Court. And it went for a touchdown.
In November 2021, Gruden sued the league and Commissioner Roger Goodell for leaking to multiple media outlets emails from the supposedly confidential investigation into the Washington franchise. Gruden contends that the leaks were calculated to force his ouster. And indeed they did.
He initially won before the trial court. After having the Nevada Supreme Court rule that his civil lawsuit must be resolved through arbitration, Gruden filed a motion for rehearing before the full court. First, they granted the request. Now, they have ruled in his favor.
In a 5-2 ruling, the Nevada Supreme Court has found that the arbitration clause contained in the NFL’s Constitution and Bylaws “is unconscionable and does not apply to Gruden as a former employee.”
The league primarily relied on the broad language of its constitution regarding the Commissioner’s power to have “full, complete, and final jurisdiction and authority to arbitrate . . . [a]ny dispute . . . that in the opinion of the Commissioner constitutes conduct detrimental to the best interests of the League or professional football.”
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In an eight-page decision, the Nevada Supreme Court found that the provision is unconcsionable because it “would allow Goodell, as Commissioner, to arbitrate disputes about his own conduct — exactly what is at issue here.” The Nevada Supreme Court then declared that the ability of Goodell to delegate the actual arbitration to another party does not matter.
The court further explained that the league’s power to alter its constitution whenever it wants makes the arbitration clause unconscionable.
Sepearately, the court refused to prevent Gruden from suing the league in court due to the presence of an arbitration clause in his contract with the Raiders.
The NFL did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Undoubtedly, the league will attempt to appeal the outcome to the United States Supreme Court; that’s what the league did when the Missouri Supreme Court found that the lawsuit regarding the relocation of the Rams could not be forced into arbitration.
If that happens, the case will continue to linger. The first question will be whether the Supreme Court will take up the case. If it does, the question becomes whether the league will disagree with the Nevada Supreme Court, forcing Gruden to arbitrate his claims.
As it relates to the quest for the truth, it’s important that the case be litigated in court. That’s how everyone will find out how and why someone weaponized the Washington emails against Gruden. And why, more importantly, the attack happened during the regular season — thereby undermining the integrity of the entire campaign, as to all 32 teams.
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“NFL NOTEBOOK
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What I saw..What I think..opening weekend of the NFL
CHARGERS…The search for stability in the offensive line begins with the move of RT-Joe Alt to replace the injured LT-Rashawn Slater. They have problems. They have given up on the idea of the Zion Johnson move to OC. That means lowly ranked Brad Bozeman goes back to the pivot spot. RG-Mekhi Becton is ailing and has not practiced since July 28th and the struggling Trey Pipkens has to go back to RT. They have a problem
CHARGERS..Lack of honesty-transparency over RB-Najee Harris is another blemish on Jim Harbaugh’s resume. Refusing to disclose Harris’ eye injury (fractured orbital bone-or-eye lid muscular damage) smacks of a coverup as to the extent of damage done. Damage to the coaches credibility, as if the mess he left behind at Michigan is not enough.
CHARGERS..Had to laugh at opening kickoff of Bolts-Saints game on TV…The announcers said ‘Lots of expectations for the Chargers’….What they could have added..’Lots of empty seats at So Fi…Lots of unanswered questions now on the roster’.
CHARGERS..The defense was everywhere in Sunday’s preseason win over a poor Saints team…The Bolts had 5-sacks, 2-picks and a fumble recovery…QB-Trey Lance looked splashy scrambling for 4-runs but did not do much throwing the ball…All those young guys on defense did give up (300Y) offense
RAMS..Matthew Stafford threw 60-passes, all types of patterns, all levels of velocity on Saturday and will take part in some walkthru practices on Monday. They have 3-weeks to ramp up his football conditioning and for him to get into some type of contact activity.
RAMS..Stetson Bennett (188P) was really solid with extensive playing time..he has fought injuries and mental health issues over two seasons, but looks like a very different pro right now.
RAMS..Young WR-Xavier Smith (3R-55Y) in debut game-pushing for playing time on a field that already has Davante Adams-Puca Nacua.
RAIDERS..Aiden O’Connell looked pretty sharp in his preseason outing in Seattle in Chip Kelly’s new playbook.
RAIDERS..Send your (10,000) check to Roger Goodell…Maxx Crosby-Geno Smith giving the finger to Seahawks fans before their exhibition game.
RAIDERS…Thought Ashton Jeanty would get more snaps but did not..3-carries for (-1 yard) in one series in first game. No room to run. No offensive line help
BROWNS..Wild outing by Shedeur Sanders. Sure looked like Jackson State-Colorado..make some plays..throw into coverages…scramble all over the place..run at time…put up (138Y) some plays..but take some big sacks too. It was exciting and he merits more playing time. But throwing into coverages he threw into this weekend, will end up with plenty of picks. You’re not in college ball anymore
JAGUARS…Expected more than we got. Travis Hunter had 10-snaps of offense, caught 2-balls for 9-yards, and 8-snaps at cornerback (1-missed open field tackle) and did not get alot of opening day action for the unicorn Colorado star.
VIKINGS..Slow start-limited time for starter JJ McCarthy (4-7) 30Y in Minnesota..needs lots of reps…and he is going to be the guy at QB
GIANTS..Wow factor for rookie QB-Jaxson Dart (154P-34R) for a guy who was #3 on depth chart..hope he gets more snaps in games two-three.
PATRIOTS..That’s a debut. Opening kickoff..RB-Trayveon Henderson goes 100-yards for TD…then adds on 18-yard run on an early carry. Impressive.
BRONCOS..Everyone knows about Bo Nix-now meet his next two WRs..young guys Trent Shearfield and Troy Franklin..between them (91Y) receptions in first preseason win over 49ers.
JETS..A Justin Fields QB-sighting but just (3-4) passing for 42-yards then pulled. Let him play.
TITANS..Debut of Cam Ward, (5-8) 67Y..wanted to see more snaps
STEELERS..QB-Skylar Thompson (233P) was on the field much of day..no Aaron Rodgers sighting at all
FALCONS..Easton Stick, remember him Bolts fans, goes (15-18) 149-in extended time in new look Falcons offense.
EAGLES..Tanner McKee (252P-2TD)..in shootout win over Bengals..Might be a very solid backup to Jalen Hurts.
RAVENS..They do have Derrick Henry..but Keaton Mitchell looks so explosive when carrying the ball. He is coming off a knee injury but showed this weekend like he showed before he had a knee injury
COLTS..TE-FB Tyler Warren, the Penn State whiz, (3R-40Y) seemed to be all over the field.
BEARS..Decide not to play Caleb Williams in first game-odd-since he needs lots of time to work on snaps under center under new head coach Ben Johnson.
MIAMI..Interesting to watch Zach Wilson and rookie Quinn Ewers throw the ball all over the field against the Bears..Wilson is a failed 1st round pick but did throw for (96Y)..and rookie Quinn Ewers (91Y) coming off the bench.
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“BAD DAY-BOLTVILLE”
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Chargers football…pick any variety of words as to what happened on Thursday afternoon.
Devastating, unfortunate, flukish, it’s football
The Chargers suffered a real jolt, the loss of Pro Bowl LT-Rashawn Slater, a week after they made him the highest paid OT in the NFL.
Down with a season ending torn patella tendon injury in a 1-on-1 pass blocking drill.
He was not hit, not rolled up on, not blindsided.
He took 3-steps back to block pass rusher Tuli Tuipulotu, planted his foot in the ground to block, and went down hard. His knee exploded , and with that move, so went the Pro Bowl pass blocker for the entire season.
Devastating because he was one of the elite young left tackles in the game.
Unfortunate because it weakens what was supposed to be an improved OL.
Flukish because it was not contact, a scrimmage, nor a big hit.
Football..and those breakdowns happen when you have explosive players running, planting, twisting and turning.
And the injury to Slater capped off a really bad couple of days for the Chargers.
It came hours after the coaches gave up on the idea they could improve their shoddy play at offensive center by moving once promising OG-Zion Johnson to the pivot spot.
Zion goes back to left guard where he graded poorly last year. It also means Brad Bozeman, the lowest graded starting center in the game last year, goes back to the spot.
Add in Mekhi Becton has now missed 10-days of practice with a mysterious injury the team refuses to comment on. He had a great season with the Eagles after a disastrous start to his NY Jets career where they gave up on him despite being a very high number 1-pick. Now we have to wait and see if he can get back and stay on the field, which has not been a trait during his career.
The Chargers will move massive RT-Joe Alt, coming off a great rookie campaign to LT-a spot he played so well at Notre Dame.
But that means journeyman, and often struggling Trey Pipkens, has to go back to right tackle, where he once played and failed. He was kicked inside to guard last year and didn’t do well there.
Jam Salyer has some experience but has been found lacking at the multiple positions they asked him to play.
What was supposed to be a strength, an O-line anchored by 3-number 1 picks, is now down to 1-first rounder you trust (Alt)…1-who has failed (Johnson) and the most important one now gone for the year (Slater).
It’s been a couple of weeks of bad news in the Chargers camp. Big money running back Najee Harris is not practicing, the aftermath of the strange fireworks eye injury.
Mike Williams backed out of his contract and retire, taking away big play down the field veteran experience.
Keenan Allen is back as an inside slot WR, but they have Ladd McConkey in that role and seem short on trust worthy deep speed, unless one of the rookies takes a step forward, or there is a sighting that Quentin Johnston can become more consistent.
A really tough break, the loss of a really good player, and a very well respected veteran.
You can say ‘next man up’ but you don’t lose quality Pro Bowl people and think there is somebody waiting in the wings to replace a Rashawn Slater.
Bad day in Boltville for certain.
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