SportsCog

MLB: Mark McGwire's Confession

2010-01-13T12:38:00.000-08:00

In recent news we found out what we all thought was the case in that Mark McGwire used steroids. This story isn't complex, but it isn't so cut and dry either. There are unique aspects to this story. Lets break it down:

Did he ever deny using steroids?

That video of the congressional hearing tells me no. All he ever said was "I don't want to talk about my past." He knew what he did, but he wasn't there to admit anything. He was there to help bring out a positive message. Now that he has admitted to it maybe he can become a better advocate for the kids. He's been in hiding since that hearing.

How long did he take steroids? and how long did we think he took steroids?

He said he was taking the 'roids on and off for nearly a decade and that pretty much gives us a fair timeline, but for some reason I didn't think he was using steroids for that long. I guess with him using Andro I thought that took the place of the steroids. If you look at it, Andro was a steroid minus a few chemicals. I admittedly took what they called "Andro" after seeing Mark McGwire doing a interview after a game. I believe it was right behind him in his locker. I was influenced to take the supplement to help me on the field. If it influenced me, how many other young players did it influence? I felt like superman! Then I read the label and did some research on the drug. They had a side-by-side comparison of Andro and Steroids. There was virtually no difference except that Andro was legal (at the time) and Steroids weren't. They both had similar side affects. I don't know much about how to take these things or how much. Did I take Andro correctly and did I take the correct amount? Only time will tell.

Will he be prosecuted like some of the other players?

He shouldn't because he never lied and no player has been charged with anything other than perjury and/or lying under oath. He will in fact be prosecuted by the public and the media until they deem the subject boring and tiresome. Kind of like Brett Farve.

The only part of this story that Mark McGwire is standing up against is Mr. Jose Canseco and what he wrote in his books. Jose Canseco still says what he says is the truth and the only truth:

Listen, I really dislike what Jose Canseco is about. He is out for money. He did what he had to do in baseball to gain wealth and when the money ran out he sold out. He banished himself from baseball with his books. He can't hold anyone else responsible for the aftermath from what he did.

You know what though?

He doesn't. He knows exactly what he did while in the game and out of the game. He is very intelligent.

What Jose says about baseball not being able to "stoop" to his level, the truth...He might be right.

Time heals all wounds, but time also allows wounds to be re-opened.

So far several aspects of Jose Canseco's books have come true. You can't say that what he writes or says are lies, not anymore, but I'm not willing to give a person like that the benefit of the doubt either.

Mark McGwire just proves once more that the outing of players who have used steroids only hurts the game. The players who have used don't hurt the game only the stories that are written about them do. The list of players who have used in the past don't clean up the game only the drug policy that police the league can do that.

Senator George Mitchell's report was a "witch hunt" that damaged the game. The Congressional Hearings aided in this and it resulted in nothing but two player's lying under oath and a drug policy that was going to be put in place anyway. Why spend the money and time on something without trying to help the situation. What good is it when the result equals pure negativity.

Baseball and the Government got it wrong. The only thing that should have come from Canseco's book should have been a stricter drug policy and we all should have moved on from there.

The Game Still Intact.

Congress Sticking to Politics.

Jose Canseco being forgotten.

and the guilty Players being eaten alive with their own guilt without harming anyone else around them.

NFL: Ocho Cinco's leap was planned! Not too shocking.

2009-09-23T14:54:00.000-07:00

After a week off for a trip to the NYC I come back to the great story of Chad Ochocinco doing the Lambo Leap, or is it the Bengal Leap, into the Green Bay crowd. As I am watching this I'm thinking he is crazier than I thought. That's like an opposing fan leaping into a rowdy Raiders crowd in Oakland. He would get eat'n up never to return. But low and behold he finds the loan Cincinnati Bengals fans right there to embrace him.

My next thought was..."How did those Bengals Fans get those kind of seats?" First they must know someone. Second how crazy are they to show their Bengal pride in the middle of all that cheese?

Of Course!

Ochocinco has to plan and pay for all of the publicity himself so that if in the off chance he actually scores a TD he can do something cool. I thought it was awesome that he found a lump of Bengals fans to jump to, but only when I thought it was random. Kind of like when Manny Ramirez gave the lone Boston Fan a high five after making a catch in the outfield. The randomness intrigued me.

Chad Johnson had a great year once upon a time, but he doesn't exist anymore. Since the birth of Ochocinco he can only pay to get the attention he so desperately needs. I wouldn't be surprised if he is the next Pro Athlete to file bankruptcy because of all the money he's gonna spend to try and stay relevant in the sports world.

For all the other circus acts in pro sports go to http://www.sportscog.com/

MLB: Pittsburgh Pirates did it...they are the worst team ever!

2009-09-08T11:45:00.000-07:00

It's all Francisco Cabrera's fault for the Pirates downfall since 1992. Who is Francisco Cabrera? He is the one that hit the two-run single to score David Justice and Sid Bream for the Atlanta Braves in Game 7 of the 1992 NLCS to win the game. Seems fitting that a guy that ended up closing out their last winning season be a guy no one really knows, because no one really know anyone on the 2009 Pittsburgh Pirates.

The question isn't when will they have a winning season again, because will they survive the economic down turn. They are trending almost 50,000 less fans this year then last year, which doesn't seem like much their average dipped below 20,000 fans a night. The park is great! The town is great! The team is disappointing.

Hopefully the Pittsburgh faithful will experience what the Tampa Rays faithful did in 2008 really soon. Maybe they should change their name like the Rays. Maybe the "Buccos" or the "Swashbucklers". Or maybe they should stick with their talent when they become good players and stop farming them out to the rest of the league. And maybe they shouldn't lock their young players up that aren't for sures (Ian Snell, Ryan Doumit).

For more sob stories visit www.sportscog.com

NFL: Shawne Merriman arrested for Tequila abuse

2009-09-07T11:47:00.000-07:00

"Lights Out" once again allegedly turned to the dark side after getting arrested for a domestic dispute. He supposedly choked out his girlfriend Tila Tequila and restrained her from leaving his presence.

Come to find out the Tila Tequila was silly drunk when this all went down. In my eyes it went down like this; They were out, she was drinking and he wasn't. Well, not a lot because the season is about to start. He didn't want her to leave in the state she was in, for her safety. She got uptight and started wailing on him and being the big man that he is tried to restrain her, for her safety. She gets him for choking her and false imprisonment.

Was not there, don't care to be there, but things like this happen when you are drunk.

Say no to alcohol kids!!! and Crazy women from MTV reality shows... it's not worth it.

For other athletes that choke out reality stars go to www.sportscog.com

NFL: Matt Stafford get the Opening Day nod

2009-09-07T11:20:00.000-07:00

The Detroit Lions named Matt Stafford the starting Quarterback to start the 2009 season. Will he be the next "Matt Ryan" or the next "Ryan Leaf". Only time will tell. In my eyes he'll be somewhere in the middle.

The Lions are desperate to win a game and fill the seats in a city that already is hurting economically. Their record in the last 24 games has been 1-23. Anything to get their minds off of that would be good, but throwing a rookie Quarterback into the fire to do that? We will see how strong he really is. Hey at least he doesn't have to do it in New York... sorry Mark Sanchez!

To see if the Detroit Lions extend their losing streak to 18 games...go to http://www.sportscog.com/

Soccer: Bolivian player drop kicks opponenet in the face

2009-08-26T08:01:00.000-07:00

Sergio Jauregi blindsided rival player Leonardo Medina in revenge for an earlier incident in the match when Medina elbowed him in the face. This is unbelievable!

For other high kicking news go to www.sportscog.com

NFL: Mark Sanchez named starter for Jets

2009-08-26T07:42:00.000-07:00

Rex Ryan announced today that Mark Sanchez will start at Quarterback for the New York Jets this season. I agree with this decision. Kellen Clemens just won't get it done, at least not any better than Sanchez. The Jets might as well get Sanchez's feet wet now.

www.sportscog.com

MLB: Johan Santana done for the season...

2009-08-25T14:07:00.000-07:00

MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reports that Johan Santana has bone chips in his elbow and will not pitch the remainder for the season. This is the best outcome for the NY Mets and Johan Santana. Of course the things the Mets can cheer about is that one of their players isn't hurt too bad.

Latest on how the Mets can lose their next game and more go to http://www.sportscog.com/

MLB: Wagner changes his mind..Red Sox Nation here he comes

2009-08-25T11:10:00.000-07:00

Billy Wagner decided to accept the trade the Red Sox after all. At the end both parties met in the middle. The Red Sox will not pick up Wagner's 2010 option, but they retain the right to offer him arbitration. That may give the BoSox 2 draft picks when Wagner turns down the arbitration offer.

Ride the Sports Roller coaster at www.sportscog.com

NFL: Plexico Burress Exclusive Interview

2009-08-25T07:55:00.000-07:00

Plexico sits down with Jeremy Schapp and E:60 to talk about his situation before he goes to prison.

www.sportscog.com

NFL: Phillip Rivers signs extension with Chargers

2009-08-24T16:56:00.000-07:00

Phillip Rivers has cashed in on his great season last year signing a reported 6 years, $92 million. He agrees on the heels of a deal that netted Eli Manning $97.5 million. Ironically it was Rivers who was traded for Manning in the 2004 Draft after Eli stated he didn't want to play for San Diego. Phillips is at the end of his 6-year $40.5 million deal he signed in 2004. Wow Phillip Rivers will make a total of $132.5 million in his career when it is all said and done.

http://www.sportscog.com/

MLB: Billy Wagner awaits the Red Sox decision.

2009-08-24T15:36:00.000-07:00

The Boston Red Sox claimed Billy Wagner off waivers and have a chance to add him to their bullpen for their playoff run. Usually the Organizations have to wait on players with no-trade clauses, but in this situation it's the Red Sox who have to make a decision. Billy Wagner has excepted the trade to Boston on one condition...they must guarantee to buyout his contract next year ($1 million). He wants to be a closer somewhere, not be Papelbon's setup man. We will see if Boston will fork over the money. Wagner may have to wave the buyout money for that to happen.

Stay tuned to see if Billy Wagner actually becomes a Red Sock at http://www.sportscog.com/

NFL: Tony Dungy scolds Vick about alcoholic drink

2009-08-24T15:30:00.000-07:00

Tony Dungy is not giving Michael Vick any slack during his attempt to come back to the NFL. And he shouldn't. We all know what happened to Adam "PacMan" Jones when given slack...relapse and poor judgement. Good for Tony Dungy! We should all be rooting for Michael Vick. Not necessarily on the football field, but in life. If he learns from what he did and corrects his path, then that is one less bad person in the world and an additional good person. It means the justice system works. If he falls back into old habits then his entire story was a waste.

http://www.sportscog.com/

NBA: Michael Beasley checks into Rehab facility

2009-08-24T15:09:00.000-07:00

Depression, drugs and/or alcohol could be the key issues Michael Beasley is trying to overcome in the next month or so. So far this has been a mystery to everyone outside of his inner circle.
Hopefully he comes through this so he can focus on Basketball. Young athletes have to grow up fast. Good luck Michael Beasley.

http://www.sportscog.com/

Lesnar v. Carwin at UFC 106 set in Las Vegas Nov. 21st?

2009-08-20T15:14:00.000-07:00

Reports say that Brock Lesnar will defend his title against Shane Carwin at UFC 106 in Mandalay Bay Casino, Las Vegas on November 21st later this year.

All of these reports are speculation at this point. Dana White is "out of the office" and Carwin is slated to fight in UFC 104 against Cain Velasquez in October.

This is a wait and see, but if true this will be a decent fight to watch.

Stay updated on this story and others on http://www.sportscog.com/

Usain Bolt breaks another record.

2009-08-20T13:32:00.000-07:00

He "bolted" his way to another world record in the 200-meter posting a 19.19 time at the World Championships. He does it again and he is amazing.

www.sportscog.com

South African teenager Caster Semenya Runner's Gender in Question

2009-08-20T10:05:00.000-07:00

When I first heard of this story I didn't really think anything of it, mainly because it was women's track. The only time this is mainstream is when it's an Olympic year or Marion Jones is going to jail. But the more I hear about this the more it made me think. What has the Sports World come to?

When did we get to the point where we have to question a person's gender when they succeed. Yes, Caster Semenya is a little masculine...when you compare her to you or me, but compare her to the rest of her field. Almost all female track stars appear a little masculine. They are one of the most in shape athletes in the world. They are going to have more muscle than the average woman.

Now a days we turn to Performance Enhancing Drugs when an athlete dominates. So when Barry Bonds passed Mark McGuire's single-season then Hank Aaron's career home run records we questioned how he did it (turned out we were right), when Lance Armstrong won his 7th Tour De France he was questioned, when Michael Phelps won 8 Gold Medals there was talk of Steroids.

Caster Semenya, 18 years old, kills the field in the 400-meter so we should question her about steroids right? Nope she's not even a woman, we say. Accusing someone about taking drugs is hard enough to deal with, but now the world is questioning your gender. How does an 18-year old deal with that?

Listen, when this is said and done she might be a he and it should be dealt with accordingly, Barry Bonds turned out to be enhanced and so did McGuire, but you don't heard anything about Usain Bolt and his record breaking performances. Lets wait and see on this one for the sake a young woman.

www.sportscog.com

University of Memphis Basketball program to Forfeit Record 38-Win Season

2009-08-20T09:50:00.000-07:00

Due to several NCAA violations under, the then Head Coach John Calipari, the Memphis Tigers will have to vacate their entire 2007-2008 season when they made a Final Four appearance and record 38-Win season. Some of the accused violations include faulty SAT score for Derrick Rose, and around $2,000 in travel concessions for Rose's brother. Calipari is currently the University of Kentucky Head Coach, so the current Memphis team should not be penalized.

There will be a Press Conference from the NCAA Committee at 3pm ET today. Memphis should have one of their own shortly after that.

http://www.sportscog.com/

Plexico to Serve 2 Years in Prison

2009-08-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

Plexico Burress has pleaded guilty today at his court hearing after agreeing to a plea bargain to serve 2 years in prison and 2 years of post-release supervision.

There are no teams interested in Plex yet and there won't be till Roger Goodell decides on how long he will be suspended.

for the latest on this story and others log onto www.sportscog.com

Fran Tarkenton speaks about Brett Favre

2009-08-19T15:57:00.000-07:00

Integrity of the game. That's what we should, above all, retain in every mainstream sport. Fran Tarenton believes the same thing. In an ESPN "Out Side the Lines" phone interview he speaks his mind on the Brett Favre saga:

In the NFL the country doesn't relfect on which team won the Super Bowl or who won the MVP. We are all looking to see if Brett Favre's contract is up to see if we have to hear Brett's name everyday 'til training camp. Now that Brett is locked up for we think is 2 years, maybe the only time we'll hear "Brett Farve" will be from what he did on the football field.

www.sportscog.com

John Smoltz signs with the St. Louis Cardinals

2009-08-19T12:08:00.000-07:00

John Smoltz has signed with the St. Louis Cardinals just days after getting released from the Boston Red Sox. He is said to now be a key piece to their bullpen.

http://www.sportscog.com/

NFL to investigate Tom Cable incident

2009-08-19T11:02:00.000-07:00

After finding out that Raiders Head Coach Tom Cable allegedly punched out one of his assistant coaches, the NFL will now lauch an investigation in regards to this incident. If this really happened, which I believe something happen to some extent, Tom Cable should be dealt with accordingly. To what degree is up to "The Commish", but for how hard Goodell has been on the players to scare the them into good behavior you would have to think he would have to be just as harsh on NFL coaches.

If the Commissioner does not come through with the correct punishment be sure to see some players to speak out.

Of course the speculation of this story has to become reality for any of this to happen.

See this story and others on www.sportscog.com

Stephen Strasburg contract update

2009-08-19T10:55:00.000-07:00

Strasburg broke two MLB Draft records with the deal he agreed to with the Washington "Nat"inals. He will receive a record $7.5 million signing bonus. He also will receive a prorated 2009 salary of $102,732 (even though he won't pitch this year). Then, $2 million in 2010, $2.5 million in 2012 and $3 million in 2013 (Totalling $15,102,732, the second record).

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MLB Draft Deadline is Killing Teams!

2009-08-18T15:01:00.000-07:00

The MLB Amateur draft signing deadline came and went last night and it was much of the same. Scott Boras and others squeezed every minute of the deadline and again they squeezed every penny out of the Organizations. Three years ago MLB added a rule for the draft that put a deadline on when a player can sign with a team eliminating the draft-n-follow aspect. This new rule was created to help each team budget their money better. Teams complained about player agents dragging negotiations out until weeks before the next draft.

What MLB didn't know is that the deadline now gives the player agents the upper hand by put each organization's "backs" against a wall. The rule of thumb the last three years has been the longer you wait the more money you get.

The numbers don't lie:

Before Deadline was in place:
Average Sum of the entire 1st Round (2004-2006) = $60,028,333

After Deadline was in place:
Average Sum of the entire 1st Round (2007-2009) = $70,856,833

That is an $10,828,500 difference between each system on average and it is escalating.

Here are some more interesting numbers. I took the 3 years before the deadline and the last 3 years it has been in place. The bonus amounts given to these players has increase significantly.

Number of $7+ Million Dollar signing bonuses: 0 before, 1 after
Number of $6+ Million Dollar signing bonuses: 1 before, 8 after
Number of $5+ Million Dollar signing bonuses: 1 before, 9 after
Number of $4+ Million Dollar signing bonuses: 4 before, 11 after
Number of $3+ Million Dollar signing bonuses: 15 before, 19 after
Number of $2+ Million Dollar signing bonuses: 32 before, 36 after

The total Multi-Million Dollar signing bonuses 3 years before the deadling (53) was blown out of the water compared to the 3 years after the deadline (84) was implimented. It has made 31 more multi-million dollar amatuer athletes since its existance. This is a staggering number.

So who has won with this rule? The Teams or the Players?

Oh yeah, they still found a way around the deadline (at least for college players) by sending them to Independent baseball.

The players get more money because of the deadline and college players can get around it by dropping out of school!

Keep yourself in the mix on http://www.sportscog.com/

Tiger Needs to Take a Seat in Second...

2009-08-17T16:08:00.000-07:00

First, I want to talk Golf in the correct order. The winner of a tournament, then Tiger Woods. There have too many times that Tiger gets the publicity over the top of the actual winner of the tournament. Y.E. Yang has Won the 91st PGA Championship making him the first Asian born player to ever win a Major. It wasn't the news that Tiger was winning that caught National attention. It was Y.E. Yang charging past Tiger in the final round that boosted the tournament to the 2nd best TV rating this year and 105% increase in viewing than last year.

As for Tiger, because I'm not stupid to leave him out of any golf conversation, he lost his bid for his 15th Major and 71st PGA victory over the weekend. Yes, he lost the tournament. If it wasn't for his collapse on the final day not only would Y.E. Yang not have sniffed a victory, the rest of the field wouldn't have either. It was his to lose and he did. He says that he didn't feel a difference in his game, but in Golf you either make the shots or you don't.

Tiger will be alright and I don't think he is losing his edge by any means. It was one tournament, albeit a Major, but that is all. He is still Tiger and he has won 5 times this year out of 13 events (11 top tens). He is still Tiger Woods and if you don't think he won't be fired up next time out you've been in a hole for 13 years.

Keep up to date on www.sportscog.com

Speaking of Prison Time...

2009-08-14T13:30:00.000-07:00

With Michael Vick getting a second chance from a Prison Sentence, it made me think of how many Pro Athletes get put in Prison. I checked it out and as I suspected there were several, but what I didn't expect was how many different sports have had criminals and how long some of these athletes served time.

Sentenced (Not necessarily the time they served)

Darryl Henley - NFL (Rams) - 41 years (drug trafficking, conspiracy to commit murder)
O.J. Simpson - NFL (Bills) - 9 to 30 years (armed robbery)
Rae Carruth - NFL (Panthers) - 24 years (conspiracy to commit murder)
Stanley Wilson Sr. - NFL (Bengals) - 22 years (burglary)
Eugene "Mercury" Morris - NFL (Dolphins) - 20 years (drug trafficking)
Denny McLain - MLB (Tigers) - 12 years (drug trafficking, embezzlement)
8 years (theft, money laundering, mail fraud)
Bernard Hopkins - Boxing - 18 years (strong-arm robbery)
Art Schlichter - NFL (Colts) - 16 years (forgery, theft)
Cecil Collins - NFL (Dolphins) - 15 years (burglary)
Ugueth Urbina - MLB (Expos) - 14 years (attempted murder)
Dwayne Goodrich - NFL (Cowboys) - 12.5 years (criminally negligent homicide)
Tommy Morrison - Boxing - 10 years (drugs and weapons)
Lawrence Phillips - NFL (Rams) - 10 years (assault with a deadly weapon)

It amazes me to see professional athletes get arrested for burglary or drug trafficking. There are some cases when they run into hard times and need money, but that just means they weren't good with the money they earned or they didn't surround themselves with the right people. In any case, they need to take responibility for their own actions.

It's not odd that most of the athletes above are NFL players because in that sport they get alot of money quick and they play at the highest level right away. I was surprised not to see as many basketball players as they have the same problem. The MLB and NHL doesn't have as many cases, I believe, because they have minor league systems each player has to conquer before making it at the highest level. This system helps groom the athletes better for the big time. All sports should adopt a minor league system.

This doesn't mean those sports aren't immune to criminals within their realms, but it helps.

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Who is preparing to be the next one named on the 2003 PED list?

2009-08-13T15:54:00.000-07:00

After Big Poppi and Manny Ramirez were named on the 2003 positive test list for performance enhancing drugs there have been other players around the league that have been outspoken out about it.

Bronson Arroyo admitted to using Andro made popular by Mark McGuire. He said it made him feel great, but that wasn't an illegal substance in 2003. Major League Baseball implied that Andro wasn't apart of the positive tests. Yet Bronson Arroyo stated that he wouldn't be surprised if he was on the 2003 list.

Nomar Garciaparra came out and stated that there were several players that refused to take the test in 2003 knowing that if the number of positive tests rose above 5% around the league that a stricter policy would be put in place. Virtually saying that those players that refused were recorded as a positive test. Again, Major League Baseball implied that the 2003 consisted of only positive urine test, which would not include those players that refused the testing. Was Nomar implying he was one that refused?

Here's the thing...no one really knows much about this list and they shouldn't because the contents of the list is supposed to be protected under court order. There are a few things that we do know without violating this order. First, every player that tested positive and is on the 2003 list was supposedly told by the MLB or the Player's Association. So when Bronson Arroyo says he wouldn't be surprised if he showed up on the list almost proves he is actually on the list. This is speculation, of course, but it seems he is preparing the world for the news. Nomar may or may not be on the list as well. Again, only speculating, but it seems like a similar tactic. Listen, I hate any of this ever came to the surface. I think the Mitchell Report only hurt the game. They should've done the anonymous test without any names on the urine samples to get the 5% needed to implement a stricter policy. This way none of the names would have leaked and baseball wouldn't have had to deal with this drama

...then again who would have stopped Jose Canseco from writing a book? Probably no one.

For all the updated news visit http://www.sportscog.com/

Rick Pitino and His 6-Year One Night Stand

2009-08-13T13:20:00.000-07:00

Rick Pitino's extortion case turned a Clintonian curve recently. It is now a sex scandal against him. Six years ago this month he "drank" too much, tripped and fell onto a one Karen Cunagin Sypher...in a Restaurant! Not in the car. Not in a hotel, but a restaurant. Power and money does not equal invincibility. Ask Bill Clinton. Ironically Louisville is only 8 plus hours away from Bill's hometown of Little Rock.

In Pitino's defense, Karen Sypher was looking for a payday. He fessed up to his wife and family, it seems, and he is a very good College Basketball coach. He has recently come out and apologized to the public and maintains his professionalism.

Pitino won't feel the affects of this in the long term and he will continue to Coach a great Louisville program. Looks like he has learned from having a one night stand because the one he did have lasted six years!

For the latest on this story go to http://www.sportscog.com/