The Fall Classic

How can you not be romantic about baseball?

Last night was one of those rare instances in sports that you simply could not avoid getting caught up in. When the thrill of the game drowns out all the rest of the world's woes. I don't care what your feelings are about baseball, last night's performance was inspirational. Yogi Berra once said, "It ain't over 'til it's over". With only 1 game left in the regular season, the St. Louis Cardinals were still fighting for their playoff lives. Tonight, that 162 game marathon again comes down to a 9 inning sprint. Except this time, it's for the World Series Pennant. So while you may not have a dog left in the fight, that doesn't mean you should stop watching. Enjoy the art and drama, because the beauty of baseball is on full display.

Runners, on your mark...

By Tyler Roth

As we saw this last weekend in the Detroit vs. San Francisco handshake debacle, the intense competitiveness that accompanies the desire to win does not always bring out our most courteous tendencies. It’s a dog-eat-dog world and as Darwin taught us, only the fittest survive. Coming at the end of an exhausting series of five debates in six weeks, two of the Republican presidential front-runners appeared eager to give more than just their respective post-game pleasantries and open to engaging in an old school knockdown-drag out of their own. In the spirit of that competitive drive, we're examining each GOP candidate and a potentially fitting running mate.

Mitt Romney (Tom Brady) – the former Governor of Massachusetts is certainly the favorite to get a spot on the general ticket but seems to have a problem courting true conservatives. Nonetheless, his confident attitude mirrors his awareness that he has already been vetted in the eyes of the GOP establishment. In what has become a somewhat Machiavellian strategy, many Republicans assume that Mitt is the only candidate who can unseat the President, and therefore even his moderately tarnished record is worth swallowing (e.g. Romneycare). Like Romney, Brady is wildly popular in the Bay State. You’d be hard-pressed to find any football fan who won’t admit that Brady is one of, if not, the front-runner in the game – the same may be                                                         true for Romney considering his surrounding GOP field.

Rick Perry (Dale Earnhardt, Jr.) – the Governor of Texas is considered to be Romney’s most formidable opponent. Interruptive and abrasive, he likes taking cheap shots when available in a sort-of ‘gotcha’ offensive. You will often hear him talking about illegal immigrants and Romney’s preferential treatment of them. In all honesty, I don’t follow NASCAR and know very little about Dale Earnhardt, Jr. other than that he embodies the sport. I am confident, however, that if Perry were to win the nomination and team up with Sarah Palin instead, a “Shake and Bake” slogan would make them virtually unstoppable.

Herman Cain (Tim Tebow) – Evangelical Christians and blue-collar Republicans resistant to Romney seem to be leaning towards Herman Cain. There is reason to question whether Cain can sustain his current support through the end of the year. Many have referred to Mr. Cain as the “Flavor of the Week”. With regards to Tebow, there has been a lot of talk over recent weeks of giving the Florida Gator prodigy turned altar boy a shot at starting in Denver. Every sports commentator on God’s green earth has given their two cents on the issue. Majority opinion: despite his immaculate tenure at the University of Florida, the requirements of an NFL quarterback are an entirely different list of credentials than Tebow’s resume has to offer. Similarly, convincing the American people that running a pizza chain is comparable to the role as Commander-and-Chief should prove to be an . . . interesting undertaking. My gut tells me it’s not as simple as a 9-9-9 deal. 

Michelle Bachmann (Brian Wilson) – If you’ve read or seen anything about the Minnesota Congresswoman or the Pennant-winning Giants relief pitcher, one word comes to mind – bizarre. Timing is everything in these primaries and peaking at the right moment is essential. Like Herman Cain, Congresswoman Bachmann suffers from Icarus syndrome having flown too close to the sun and is now crashing and burning. She may have to settle for her role as Queen of the Tea Party and if so inclined, show up for a House vote every now and then (I don’t know, just a thought).

Newt Gingrich (John Madden) – Newt has found a niche as the conscious of the party, constantly justifying his presence even if it makes him no more electable than before. While I respect the substance he brings to the field, I think he may be the last to have read the memo that his sunniest days are in the past. Both Madden and Gingrich used to be some of the most revered men in their respective arenas -- Capitol Hill and the NFL. Lately, however, you tend to wait with bated breath as they seem to have lost a lot of admiration amongst their former audiences and there's an awkward silence for a few seconds after they've spoken. 

Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Jon Huntsman (the WNBA) – Clawing for respect since day 1. 

While I make light of the GOP presidential field, one of the previously mentioned politicians will make a very serious run to contest the President and be the 45^th Leader of the Free World and should they win, swear an oath to uphold the Constitution and protect the citizens of this great country. Such a challenge is certainly no laughing matter and I look forward to the debate. 

Imported From Detroit

By Tyler Roth

Every journalist and economic pundit seems to have an opinion on Detroit’s decline, from rampant police corruption to widespread home foreclosures to downright bizarre, leftist politicians. It is a city that has become synonymous with tragedy and shorthand for failure. 

Looking at Detroit's history, the twentieth century proved to be quite a roller coaster. It boomed in the first quarter of the century, giving rise to the "Big Three" (Ford, Chrysler, and GM) and thus was appropriately nicknamed the Motor City. In the second quarter, President Franklin Roosevelt christened Detroit “the great arsenal of democracy”, referring to the automotive industry’s rapid commitment to World War II arms production. The third quarter was marked by a gentle economic decline, and by the last quarter of the century Detroit had transformed itself into decay. At its peak in 1950, it was the fifth-largest city in the U.S. with a population of 1.8 million. By 2000, residency had plummeted to 950,000. 

Then, with the onset of the 21^st century, Detroit made a move that would seal their fate in a whole further realm for nearly the next decade. In 2001, Matthew George Millen was named President, CEO, and acting general manager of the Detroit Lions. During Millen’s reign, the Lions .277 winning percentage was among the worst ever compiled by an NFL team. One might find it even difficult to discern what abysmal statistic from Millen’s tenure is the most embarrassing. From 2001-2003, the Lions failed to win a single road game (0-24) and in 2008, the team posted the NFL’s first-ever, full season winless record (0-16).

In 2005, allegedly, a "Fire Millen" chant broke out amongst some disgruntled fans at a Michigan State Spartans basketball game. The anti-Millen movement flourished as the chant was echoed at the arenas of the Michigan Wolverines, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings throughout the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Finally, on September 24, 2008, the prayers of Detroit fans were answered and Matt Millen was relieved of all duties with the Lions franchise.

Now fast forward three years to this past Monday night where the Lions took to the field and dropped the defending NFC North champions, Chicago Bears, 24-13. Not only was this their first appearance on “Monday Night Football” in over a decade (last appearance, Oct. 8, 2001, 35-0 loss to the Rams) but it solidified their first 5-0 start to a season since 1956. Led by Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson, aka “Megatron”, the 2011 Lions have overcome both 20- and 24- point deficits to achieve their flawless start to the year. 

When asked after the Monday night game in front of a record attendance at Ford Field just how big of a win this was for the Detroit Lions, coach Jim Schwartz responded, "this was a big night for the city". As the old proverb goes, it is always darkest before the dawn. For the city of Detroit, recovery from such a violent economic downward spiral will take more than a drastically improved football team. Hopefully, however, it gives us pause to reflect on this city’s great heritage and leaves us with a small example of the patience and audacity necessary to overcome the darkest of days. 

Occupy Madison Square Garden

By Matthew Burr

The whims of the most powerful dictate what the rest will receive. That's been true forever, and it remains true today.  As the ongoing NBA lockout, as well as the Occupy Wall Street protest has shown, the awesome power of self-interest means that the rest are just going to have to accept their diminished portions. You’ll eat your peas and damnit, you’ll enjoy them. 

There are many parallels to be drawn between the NBA's ongoing stalemate and the struggles of Occupy Wall Street's "99%" to obtain economic equality. It all comes down to money, and the NBA players, like workers across the United States who have found their union memberships have recently attracted a controversial stigma, are simply fighting for their fair share. But those who possess all the wealth have no incentive to give it to them. Who is going to force them to budge? In a negotiation, you don't get what you want unless you have something of value. The 99% has nothing to tempt the wealthiest 1%. In both cases, the struggle is alarmingly one-sided. 

Among the grievances expressed by the Occupy Wall Street protestors is the fact that about a quarter of all the income earned in the United States is owned by the wealthiest 1% of the U.S. population. Upward social mobility used to be a key tenant of the American Dream. In the 30's and 40's, incomes in the United States were converging, and during the economic boom following World War II, the middle class wasn't a bad place to be. Today, it's a struggle. The middle class just isn't reaping any of the benefits of economic growth, because those benefits are being withheld. From 1980 to 2005, 80% of the increase in the United States economy went to the wealthiest 1%. Conservatives may call them job creators, but in reality, they belong on TLC's 'Hoarders'. 

It's unfortunate for my comparison that in the case of the NBA lockout, pretty much all the participants are members of the top 1%. It may even seem insensitive. But there are still parallels that help explain why these two struggles are stuck spinning their wheels in the mud. There are various complicated issues stalling the negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), but the major sticking point is the division of basketball related income (BRI). The old CBA saw the players earning 57% of BRI, with owners pocketing 43%. The owners contend that it is not worth it to have another NBA season with anything close to those levels. They've reportedly offered the players 46% of BRI, and they haven't really budged. Apparently, at a player's gathering at New York's Park Avenue Hotel which featured a handful of star NBA players, Lebron James was insistent that they not give up any more than 53% of BRI to the owners. The gulf between the two sides is drastic, and it represents a whole lot of cash. 

I certainly agree with anyone who would take umbrage with my referring to an athlete making hundreds of thousands of dollars as a victim, however, for the sake of analogy bear with me. Among the "victims" of the ongoing stalemate in the NBA labor negotiations are small-name, veteran players like Keyon Dooling. They rely much more on a steady paycheck than someone like Lebron James. And the owners, especially those who frequently find themselves in the red at the end of the NBA season, just aren't going to agree to finance a non-profitable industry. As the lockout drags on and regular season games begin to be shaved from the schedule, the financial impact becomes greater on lower-paid veterans. Something has got to give, and that is going to take everyone putting some greater good on a higher plane than their own self-interest. 

The same concept applies to the struggle for income equality in the United States. We all have to put the greater benefit of society ahead of everything else. That means empowering the middle class again and we can't do that until the political process stops coddling the wealthiest 1%. Despite what you may have read or seen on television, this is the unifying cause of the Wall Street Protesters. They want a government that doesn't enable the wealthiest 1% to hoard the vast majority of economic resources in this country by means of corporate welfare. And it's not because they're selfish. It's because they want what's best for the country, not what's best for the rich. 

NBA owners and players need to put the game of basketball ahead of their own selfishness. The owners appear to be insisting on too little, and the players don't seem to grasp the economic realities of the negotiation. The NBA is the pinnacle of the sport of basketball. Madison Square Garden has been called the 'Mecca' of the sport. Maybe the Occupy Wall Street demonstrators, defying police and 

ridicule from certain political pundits only blocks from the Garden,
have something to teach the entrenched major players in the NBA
labor negotiations. 

Split BRI 50/50 and put the game of basketball first. 

"I'd TiVo that..."

By Tyler Roth

My adventure as a blogger begins with a topic that the majority of us have wished away for the past four years. A topic that we were all forced to take a concrete stance on despite its emotional tug o' war and factual conjectures. A topic that, no matter where you turned, it was impossible to escape the headlines, like a bad episode from The Twilight Zone. No, I'm not referring to our newly-crowned American sweetheart Amanda Knox, although, up to this point that may be indistinguishable. Today, we turn our attention to Brett Favre -- the man (unfortunately, we have visual proof), the myth (3x League MVP), the legend (NFL records abound: most career TD's, most career passing yards, most consecutive starts...just to name a few).

Most recently, Favre has been condemned for his comments regarding Aaron Rodgers to an Atlanta radio station. Speaking on the issue of Rodgers leading the Packers to their fourth Super Bowl title, Favre said, "I'm going to be honest, I was not surprised. The biggest surprise to me would be that he didn't do it sooner." Taken alone, this statement does not come off as combative or condescending. However, he later intimated that Rodgers' rise into all-star status has been aided by a supporting cast that was better than what existed when he was in Green Bay. Many have defended Favre arguing that "he is right in that he is only stating the facts". However, stating the facts doesn't negate the existence of his clear and underlying, subjective tone. In this particular case, that tone was speckled with a belittling of Aaron Rodgers' individual talent and a noticeable, self-glorifying agenda that has become all too characteristic of Brett Favre. The implication that Favre would have been able to achieve the same heights last year as Aaron Rodgers given the surrounding cast is not only false, but flat out insulting.

Favre's crime to society and particularly his once die-hard supporters is that he absolves himself of any wrong-doing by believing himself bigger than the game. That his passion for the sport overrides the selfish, and at-times amoral, actions his decisions predicate themselves upon. [Enter stage, Jenn Sterger] For most men, texting a picture of his manhood (or lack thereof) would necessitate a real, unwavering confidence. They'd review proper grooming, receive positive feedback from their fans, and wouldn't need to think twice about angle or lighting. In fact, I wouldn't doubt this was the case with Favre. I'm sure there was no second guessing the infamous text and it wouldn't surprise me if there were other victims.

Favre needs to take a lesson from a man that he may have more in common with than he ever could have imagined -- former Congressman Anthony Weiner. While one distinguished himself on the sports field winning over the hearts of football admirers everywhere with his endless determination and laser-like arm, the other vaulted himself into the national spotlight with heated debates on Sunday talk shows and passionate, progressive rhetoric on the House floor. Both men had the misfortune of what was surely meant to be an intimate, "sextual" offering explode into a viral broadcasting of misconduct. However, where the two undoubtedly diverge is how they handled the phallic situation. Anthony Weiner took to the podium, apologized to family and constituents, swallowed his pride and resigned. Brett Favre, didn't even have the balls (sorry, couldn't help it) to admit his mistakes, but rather offered a tearful apology to Ryan Longwell and company for "being a distraction from the team". He not only suited up for the rest of the season but has recently got his feet wet with sports commentary (granted, it has only been for his alma mater, Southern Mississippi, thus far).

I have to be honest, there was a brief period of time where I was certain Anthony Weiner would take to the airwaves and become the next Eliot Spitzer. He'd get back up, brush the dirt off his shoulders, and move on to his career providing political commentary for MSNBC. Don't tell me you wouldn't stop scrolling through your TV guide if you came across "Weiner-Spitzer in the Morning". It sounds like something you ordered from the Hofbrau Haus thinking it would nicely complement your Oktoberfest, only to find out later that it wasn't a food special but was served by a woman named Bruno. I can only imagine a similar analogy would be appropriate should Favre be granted the opportunity to give play-by-play analysis with the likes of say...Big Ben Roethlisberger.

On Wednesday, the Atlanta radio station released a statement saying Favre's comments regarding Rodgers were taken out of context by the national media. I write to you today to put Favre's legacy in context -- to strike Favre's comments from the record and publicly censure his acts over the last four years. Send sports broadcasters a message that you've had enough of the Favre headlines, the Favre PTI and Around the Horn tabs, the Favre tweets, and for goodness sakes...the Favre blog posts. It may not deflate his ego, but at least it will save us from a "Favre-Big Ben in the Morning".