Can't We All Just Get Along?
It seems like lately everybody is fighting with one another. Coaches vs. Coaches. Former Managers vs. Coaches. Players vs. Coaches. Teams vs. Teams. And most of it is laughable and not news, but since the media feeds on this, we're treated to it day after day. Decide if these are non-stories:
- Ozzie vs. Coop: It didn't take long for former Chicago Manager Ozzie Guillen to send a few selected missiles toward Chicago from his new base in Miami. In an interview with his personal scribe, Joe Cowley, Ozzie claims that Sox pitching coach Don Cooper stabbed his fellow coaches in the back by allegedly going to General Manager Kenny Williams and negotiating a new deal for himself. Ozzie calls Cooper, a highly respected pitching guru, "Kenny's bitch." Here's the thing. If you see that the Titanic is about to hit an iceberg, it is perfectly acceptable to look for a life jacket. Ozzie isn't nearly as interesting when he isn't your guy.
- I don't think Don Cooper screwed his fellow coaches. Ozzie knew that the only coach he was going to take with him was Joey Cora. Greg Walker was going to go somewhere else or take a year off, Cooper and Harold Baines were going to stay and Ozzie didn't seem to want to bring Jeff Cox with him. So exactly how Cooper back stabbed everyone else is clear only to Ozzie who is spouting it and Cowley, who would believe that Cooper was Beelzebub if Ozzie told him so.
- May the Schwartz be Against You: This whole Jim Harbaugh-Jim Schwartz thing is so stupid it's hard to write about it. Harbaugh was wrong by not stopping and properly shaking Schwartz's hand like a sportsman. Schwartz was wrong trailing Harbaugh wanting to get a piece of him. I have actually been in the middle of a fracus caused in part by Jim's dad, Jack, in a game between Western Kentucky and Indiana State. Few coaches liked Jack Harbaugh. Jim Harbaugh is an ass because it is in his DNA. He's also a good coach because it is his DNA. But this deal is totally over blown, especially since Roger Goodell, who would probably fine his wife for overcooking his steak, didn't fine anyone.
- James vs. Georgia: I really like the attitude that James Franklin has infused at Vanderbilt. Vandy is a perennial doormat in the powerful SEC, but Franklin has given them a much needed boost in their self esteem. Taking on a Georgia assistant after a game is foolish, especially since you play them every year. Yet, here we are. Franklin to his credit, called Georgia coach mark Richt the next day and ironed things out. Finally, someone wanting to be the solution and not be the problem.
- Last Dance In Boston: One of the documented reasons that Theo Epstein is willing to leave Boston to run the Cubs is because of the deteriorating state of his relationship with Red Sox President Larry Lucchino. Perhaps to get back at Epstein, Lucchino has hamstrung negotiations between the Cubs and Red Sox over compensation that would release Epstein from the remaining year of his Red Sox contract. Lucchino has already been shot down in a bid to acquire the Cubs number two starter Matt Garza. That Epstein is leaving is a foregone conclusion. Yet Lucchino is treating it like a messy divorce that doesn't help either side. Would he really walk away from the table, obligating the Red Sox to pay Epstein for 2012, even if Theo is on the beach? Come on Larry. Play ball.
- Cutler vs. Martz: Apparently, NBC picked up Bears Quarterback Jay Cutler saying "tell him f___ you!" after a play was sent in. If his anger was directed toward offensive coordinator Mike Martz, I think he was speaking for each and every Bears fan. Of course, the Bears will circle the wagons and deny everything.
- Chris Harris vs. The Bears: Having been burnt like a California forest during dry season against Detroit, Chris Harris was deactivated Sunday for the Bears game against Minnesota. Harris immediately demanded a trade. The deadline is today. The question is, how high a draft pick can Jerry Angelo get for a safety who spent most of the Detroit game playing matador defense?
- Jon Lester vs. the Boston Media: Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester went on several Boston radio stations to spin the reports that players routinely drank and ate fried chicken in the clubhouse while losing the wild card lead to Tampa Bay. The truth? If the Red Sox had made the playoffs, no one would care. Why are we so shocked when we find out a grown man had a beer during a game? So few of these guys give a damn about the game anyway, it's all about their contracts.
- John Henry vs. Carl Crawford: The Red Sox over payed for left fielder Carl Crawford, who, if it wasn't for Adam Dunn, struggled the most of the big signings last off season. Henry has gone on radio saying he was against it. Gee John, if you own the team, then don't you have final say. Hindsight is 20-20 and Henry sure has it. If Crawford comes back and has a big year, Henry will look like even more of an ass than he already does.
Posted by Chip Ramsey at 10/18/2011 9:14 AM 
Categories: Ozzie Guillen, Chicago White Sox, College Football, Pro Football, Baseball
Tags: Cry Baby Cutler The Answer Mike Martz
Categories: Ozzie Guillen, Chicago White Sox, College Football, Pro Football, Baseball
Tags: Cry Baby Cutler The Answer Mike Martz
Comments