Feed Him to the Dogs

So long Mike Vick. You went from being the most exciting and promising player in the NFL, to overrated and incapable of having a passing game to compliment your legs, to now being an absolute disgrace. You are officially my least favorite player in the league. If you haven't heard, Vick is under investigation for breeding and hosting dogfights on his property in Virginia. His cousin lives/runs the property, but the property is under Vick's name. Earlier this week a 'witness' came forward claiming that Vick not only bred and fought dogs, but was a 'heavyweight' in the dogfighting scene. The 'witness' appears to be a reliable source having been involved in dogfighting for 30 years and describes fighting (and winning) against Vick.

Right back at you Mike.

I tried to watch the Outside the Lines story about dogfighting, but after 15 second of the intro which depicted the dogs mauling each other to the death I had to turn away. I don't have a weak stomach, but I admittedly have soft spot for dogs having them since I was born and animal abuse infuriates me like few other things. People compare dogfighting to UFC fighting. This is an absurd notion. People choose to fight in the Octagon. Dogs have no sense of what they are doing. Their instincts take over when thrown in the ring with another dog and it is kill or be killed. It is organized murder for senseless entertainment.

Natural Born Killer? Come on...

Humans have always bred, trained, and used animals for their betterment. From oxen pulling ploughs to genetically altered mice studied and sacrificed for medical research, animals are a useful tool for humans. Some would say dogfighting is similar to both of these examples; the animal is bred for a purpose, used for that purpose, and then killed when they are no longer needed. Nope, no way. It is the context that matters. These dogs are bred and trained to kill, simply a tool used for entertainment, nothing more. Their lives are used to facilitate the exchange of money through bets and the rush of watching them kill each other.

Gotta love playing as Vick in Madden.

It looks like Mike Vick will be suspended for a good long while if this 'witness' and others who are stepping forward turn out to be legit. If Pacman got a year for being a goofball and 'making it rain' among other things without any convictions, Mike Vick should at the absolute least expect to sit out a year. I feel bad for Mike Vick fans and the Atlanta Falcons organization. Trading Matt Schaub was a huge mistake in hindsight.

After Mike Vick is excoriated for his disgusting hobby and for blowing his chance at being a NFL legend--a unique player who could have changed his position like Lawrence Taylor and Tony Gonzalez did--there just might be some positives to come out of all this. Often is the case when celebrities stumble; their flaws are brought into the public spotlight and positives changes ensue. In the wake of Don Imus' comments that got him fired, other offensive radio personalities were fired or suspended for racial insensitivity. It is no longer acceptable to make such remarks. Andre Waters suicide and Oakland Raider's center Barret Robbins battle with depression (he was unable to play in the Superbowl because of an episode) have once again highlighted depression as a serious disease and for football players a side effect of concussions. Other experiences like Derek Fischer's daughter's battle with retina blastoma or Alonzo Mourning's recovery from kidney failure have helped raise awareness about these diseases and will save lives in the future.

The same should happen with Mike Vick's story because really, it isn't Mike Vick's story. He is just another dog breeder and dog fighter, one of 20,000-40,000 in the United States according to ESPN. Clinton Portis pointed this out, though his comments were insensitive and certainly didn't help Vick's case. Dogfighting is a multiBILLION dollar industry in the United States. It is extremely private and unknown to the public. My hope is that the backlash of this story will open the door to this gruesome and heartless industry. Dog lover's will be moved to speak up about it and hopefully things will change. Vick will certainly be booed more than ever if and when he returns to the NFL. When searching for pictures of Mike Vick on Google bloodied and emaciated pitbulls show up next to pictures of the quarterback playing football. Maybe some how, some way he will realize his hobby for what it is, change, and work to fight against it. I doubt it, but only then will I see him as more than an animal abusing, low-life dog.

No, not a dog, that is an insult.

50 games in...

The Phightin's are fifty games into the 2007 season (thats about 31% of the way through for any amateurs out there) and they sit in 3rd place in the NL East, 6.5 back of the absurdly annoying Mets but only 2 behind the second place Braves, who the Phils crushed this weekend. That being said, the team is struggling to find consistency amidst injuries, bull-pen questions, a manager from Buena Vista (you'd know if you've been there...), etc. At least Ryan Howard (aka Powered Howard, Rhino, Blue Hurt) looked good this weekend...

What excites me about the Phillies right now is the production we are seeing (even in limited playing time) from the bench. Specifically, Greg Dobbs.
The guy has been killing it since Spring Training, he is this years Chris Coste, he needs to play as much possible. The "Phillies Notes" today's Inqy give some idea of Dobbs' dominance:

The Phillies are 13-2 when Greg Dobbs starts. Coincidence? "I'm not about being superstitious, but shoot," lefthander Cole Hamels said. Dobbs went 2 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs yesterday. Andruw Jones robbed him of a second homer in the third inning when he made a spectacular leaping catch at the wall in center field. Dobbs played second base in the eighth and ninth innings - the first time in his life he had played there.

Playing out of position, crushing balls like AJ Feely crushes Heather's box, what more can you ask from the guy? Plus his name rolls off the tongue so well. Try the "Lets go Greg Dobbs" chant the next time you head to the Bank, it might just catch on.

Another guys who needs to see a little more playing time: Michael Bourn. Even though his average sucks he is a menace on the base paths. Remember that time he ran for Burrell (see below), stole second and third, then scored on a ground ball with the infield in? Also from today's Inqy:

Michael Bourn started for the third time in five games. He played yesterday in place of leftfielder Pat Burrell, who is hitless in his last 17 at-bats. Bourn went 2 for 10 with one RBI, two walks, two steals and three runs in those starts.

Bourn might be the opposite of Pat, Speed VS. Power, but he has proven effective at scoring runs. Pat has given us this:


One last name to mention is recent call-up Mike Zagurski. This guy looks like he belongs on a couch more than on the mound, but starting your major league career with 2.1 innings of scoreless, one-hit ball isn't too shabby. Maybe he can be the left handed arm out of the pen that Phils have lacked all year. By the way, his nickname is Bronko according to this interesting article on phillies.com.

In their first fifty games the Phillies have provided plenty of entertainment, but also disappointment. Looking at past performances I'm not surprised the Phils are where they are, lets just hope they get hot in time to make a run at the post-season. Hopefully, getting over .500 for the first time in six chances over the weekend will be just what the Phils needed to get them rolling. Come down to the ballpark tonight to see the Phils take on the Diamondbacks. Remember not to eat anything all day as it is a DDN. Look for me in 137, the guy with the mustard on his shirt sitting next a man with red hair, who's not to be trusted.

I leave you with an image of two players from the Northwestern women's lax team, who just three-peated the NCAA's this weekend in Philly. I always thought female laxers were kinda hot but...

Starting Five 5/21/07

It has been a minute, but I'm back. Let's get back into things with a my starting five for the week.

1) Booo NBA Playoffs-
It appears the NBA playoffs peaked in the first round with the Warriors beating the Mavericks with their wild style and the Jazz and Rockets taking their series to seven games. I also enjoyed watching the Nuggets and Iverson, despite quick departure. The Second round presented one intriguing series between the Suns and Spurs, which was tainted by the dirty play of the Spurs and the inability of the league to interpret a terrible rule, which handed the series to the Spurs. I like David Stern and I am not surprised that he just went by the book here, but come on, you really blew it for everyone and you know it. Steve Nash finally won me over too.

Now we have to look forward to LeBron passing too much and missing free throws down the stretch as he falls to the Pistons again and the Spurs and Jazz boring the hell out of us. Oh well, maybe next year.

2)Hooray Yanks and Sox-
Every year brings new intrigue with this rivalry and this year is no exception. After winning 9 division titles in a row the tables have turned for the Yankees as they are playing catch up to the hot Red Sox who are the best team is baseball so far. This week presents an extra special series because of the dire situation the Yanks have put themselves in. The Sox coming to town may be just what they need to get their season back on track. The Sox could put the Yanks further into their hole by taking the series based in New York. I'll be watching.

Don't count the Yankees out. Wang, Mussina, Pettite, Clemens, and Hughes sounds pretty good to me and you know they will start hitting more consistently. Plus, they are the Yankees, come on! For more, check this out.

3) Leave McNabb Alone!!-
Has there ever been a player that was picked on more for no reason that Donovan? The guy has been the cornerstone of the Eagles most successful era in franchise history leading them to 4 NFC championship games and a SuperBowl as well as being a 5 time Pro Bowler and a model citizen on and off the field. Was it Donovan or Andy Reid's overly conservative and poor playing calling down the stretch that lead to Philly's inability to win a title? Do people really think AJ Feeley, Kelly Holcomb or the controversial rookie Kolb can replace a Hall of Fame quarterback? Either way, the Philadelphia media, the national media, and just plain haters like Rush Limbaugh, can't give this guy a break. In Saturday's Inquirer there was an article referring to a Chicago rumor about a possible Lance Briggs for Donovan McNabb trade that could happen before the start of the season. The article even posed the question, "What Eagles fans are probably asking is why would the Bears want to do this trade?" Are you kidding me!? I swear journalists will write anything to be heard.


4)NBA Lottery Drawing- Tuesday is the most anticipated day for Celtics fans in years. The numbers are with them with a 40% chance of getting a a top two pick, but karma is against them after shamelessly tanking their season. It will be fun to watch what Billy King does with 3 first round picks and 1 second round pick. And how about this guy.

Why don't they bring back original format of the draft where all the teams that don't make the playoffs have an equal chance of getting the top pick.? This would get rid of the tanking phenomenon and encourage teams to put more into developing their players. The league is so concerned about its players acting appropriately, how about the franchises and management following suit?


5) Thank you Warriors- They were the most exciting thing to happen to the NBA this year and maybe in quite a few years. Their style was wild and their passion was raw and refreshing. They were probably just a flash in the pan, but man was it fun. The juxtaposition (yeah, I said it) between Stephen Jackon, Baron Davis, JRich, Matt Barnes and the like, with Nellie's laid back, let 'em run attitude (not to mention getting in trouble for bringing a beer to a press conference) was something special.

Baron is still a bad, bad man.

I'll beat him with my blackness

Like most things boxing, the most hyped fight of the 21st century failed to live up to its billing. Or did it? If you see boxing in the classical sense, two fighters in a ring by themselves, squaring off until the death, then by all means, this fight fell in line with many other flops.

However, if boxing is the event, the hype, the marketing, the money, then De La Hoya-Mayweather 1 (I say 1, because we know that 2 will be announced once there are no other fights to promote) perhaps has just revolutionized the world of sports. HBO and Golden Boy Promotions commoditized racial stereotypes in a way that has never been done before. Sure, Holmes-Cooney may have been more anticipated yet it relied on racial tension to push the fight, rather than create them to make the fight.

Oscar De La Hoya is a Mexican-American. He is not white as in Gerry Cooney or Jim Jeffries white. Yet America, which to be fair has always embraced Oscar, has never pulled harder for a fighter since Cooney took the ring across Larry Holmes. He became the model of family values with his wife sitting ringside and his two children's name across his shorts. He was polite. He was respectful. He became white America.

At the same time, Floyd Mayweather Jr. became everything this country is, but rejects in its typical hypocritical manner. He is brash. He is arrogant, cocky, and rude. He donned the Mexican colors to mock De La Hoya's heritage. 50 Cent brought him into the ring with "Straight To The Bank" (fitting for many reasons) blasting to a crowd where all in the arena have commas in their bank accounts and all watching on television contributed 50 Dollar.

And as expected, the fight was a complete domination (how the fight was a split decision is beyond me). Mayweather used his quick hands to exploit De La Hoya, poking jab after jab with the precision of a marksman. Yet the irony of the fight is that Mayweather in the ring isn't flashy. He is smart. He uses his speed, yes, but it was his superior boxing intelligence that won the fight. He outwitted De La Hoya just like Jack Johnson and Muhammad Ali made routine. The Pretty Boy sat back and picked away and the "wows" and "yeahs" that roared from the crowd when De La Hoya came at Mayweather in a flurry of ineffective punches were nothing compared to the "oohs" the came after each Mayweather carefully delivered blow to De La Hoya's head.

Is this the end of boxing? Of course it's not, because with technology making pay-per-viewing on plasma TVs a reality for many, boxing will continue its marketing domination. What presents a more frightening situation is that as the entire world of sports begins to realize the money that can be made by proffiting off of this country's racial tension, we may be entering a world when Don Imus may just find himself employed again very soon.

In the meantime, who else is looking forward to watching Golden State and Utah play?