A Modest Proposal For Huston Street's 9th Inning Music

During Saturday's Fanfest at PETCO Park, Huston Street addressed his Closer's Music for 2012 while sitting on a forum panel moderated by Mud Grant. He said it would be a surprise. I have an opinion on this . . .

Since 1998 there have been two songs* San Diego Padres fans have heard in the 9th inning of a close game: Hells Bells for Trevor Hoffman and Heath Bell's Blow Me Away. Fourteen seasons with little variation, a remarkable feat.

*In 2003 Rod Beck took over for an injured Trevor Hoffman and saved 20 games. Who knows how Shooter would have rolled . . .

Is the discussion of entrance music frivolous? Yes. Am I going to write something about it regardless? Yes. Is my idea going to be more radical? Is it an election year?*

* Answering a question with a question is the way forward. Write that down . . .
When Huston Street was acquired by the San Diego Padres on December 7th, 2011 fans immediately chimed in with the obvious suggestions for 9th inning entrance music, most of which included the words Street or Streets referenced. But we don't need music from U2, The Cure, or the motion picture soundtrack to Annie*.

*I live in a household of females. Reserve judgement lest ye be judged yourself.

In my mind however, there's only one real song choice for Huston Street. I can't resist the idea that Street Fighting Man should be his music for the remainder of his time in San Diego.*

*A career which may or may not last past July 31st of this year.

But I wasn't talking about the Rolling Stones' Street Fighting Man. I much prefer a call to war: Rage Against The Machine's version of Street Fighting Man.

In 2000 RATM released Renegades, a collection of militant/anti-establishment/call-to-revolution type cover-songs. It featured a gritty, hard-edged Street Fighting Man that would subsequently be featured when ever someone wanted to show video footage of backyard revolution:

Whether this song played as the soundtrack  to Protestant and Catholic clashes in Northern Ireland or to the recent revolutions on the Arab Street the connotations were manifest: Rage!!!

Could this song get a moribund crowd to their feet during the 9th inning of a 2-1 game at PETCO?*

*Rhetorical question, you twit.

But Street Fighting Man is only one part of San Diego's 9th inning revolution, my good people.

While Huston Street charges out of the pen and begins his warm-up tosses there must be some sort of video montage projecting throughout the park. And since it's an election year I propose that the Padres focus on our current backyard revolution -- the battle against MLB to get ownership approved, specifically as it relates to current Arizona Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendricks and his vendetta against former partner and current Padres owner, Jeffrey Moorad.

I want a video montage with Samuel L. Jackson crushing snakes. I want to see video stills of Arizona Diamondbacks logos bursting into flames. There needs to be lots of fire! The city of Phoenix? Fire! Every place in the greater-Phoenix area should be ablaze with fire. A burning metropolis, one in which, only Peoria* survives the fury.

*The Seattle Mariners' locker room at the Peoria Sports Complex should burn to the ground.

Video stills of Ken Kendricks? He's the devil. He. Should. Be. ON. FIRE! Kendricks should have protruding horns from his ample forehead. And be holding a pitch fork! And he should be . . . on fire!!! There should be Molotov cocktails soaring through the air with Chase Field set in a fiery background. Chase Field's fate? Burned to the ground! This revolution shall be televised! Yahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Kevin Towers and Sean Burroughs? Horns. Pitchforks. Fire!!! The literal bonds between the organizations of Arizona and San Diego . . . MUST BURN*!

*We will spare former Kearney Komet, Alan Trammel.

The video shall end with Jeff Moorad and Tom Garfinkel standing on the cliffs of Torrey Pines bellowing, "We are the San Diego Padres. And we approve of this message."

In summation: Rage Against The Machine's Street Fighting Man, Samuel L. Jackson, dying snakes, fire, connotations of devils, and more fire.

Good luck to Huston Street and the 2012 San Diego Padres.

Baseball Names: Cuba, communism, and the letter Y

I've always had a fascination with players whose parents opted for the 25th letter of the alphabet.
And I don't say this just because names like Yu and Yoenis have been sprinkled through the headlines of this hot stove season.

Seeing players with names like Yunel and Yuniesky run across the diamond simply brings me back to my childhood, a kinder and gentler time -- a time where Americans lived with the specter of mutually assured destruction hovering over them.

I embrace the strangeness of Latin American players with names that sound so . . . Russian. I embrace the Y.

So when Yonder Alonso and Yasmani Grandal arrived from Cincinnati in the Mat Latos deal I quipped that the Padres were building an army of players whose first names started with the letter "Y".  While this was what my gut told me was it reality or merely perception?

And then I read the U-T last week and my senses awoke further . . .

Bill Center of the UT reported:

The Padres have signed two minor league players while recently releasing 10 players from their system.

Both additions were formerly in the Padres system – center fielder Yordany Ramirez signed and infielder Anthony Contreras.

I looked at the name of Yordany Ramirez and thought, If there's a market for players whose first name begins with the letter Y, the Padres are surely trying to corner it.

 Are the Padres stockpiling this seemingly rare commodity? This a dangerous question to ask as it leads to exhaustive research. The recording and interpretation of the data found in this type of research is a process so time consuming one can only ask themselves, "Is this really worth it?"

The answer is obviously an emphatic, NO. But I did it anyways. Because I needed to know Y.

My findings took a turn towards the etymology of names and the psychology of those giving the names. It began at Baseball-Reference.com . . .

At the end of the 2011 season, according to Baseball-Reference.com, these were the individuals who were on MLB rosters who had a family given first name beginning with the letter Y:

Yonder Alonso (Padres) Cuba
Yhency Brazoban (D-Backs) Dominican Republic
Yunel Escobar (Blue Jays) Cuba
Yuniesky Betancourt (Brewers) Cuba
Yovani Gallardo (Brewers) Mexico
Yuniesky Maya (Nationals) Cuba
Yadier Molina (Cardinals) Puerto Rico
Yamaico Navarro (Royals) Dominican Republic
Yoshinori Tateyama (Rangers) Japan
Yorvit Torrealba (Rangers) Venezuela

That's a total of 10 players using the letter Y for their first name. With 30 teams and 25 players per Major League roster there are always 750 active players who have names at any given time -- that's just the way it works if you're someone other than Prince.*

*The Artist not the Fielder.

This means that less than 1.5% of all players claim the Y. This number will skyrocket to 1.6% when Yu Darvish takes the mound for the first time and Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes signs a contract now that he has established residency in the Dominican Republic.

The Ten players in MLB were now recorded but I knew my research was unfinished. There were more Ys out there and I had to dig deeper.*

*This was a catastrophic mistake as I spent a surplus of my time sorting and recording the names of players who will never come close to seeing a MLB diamond. But I did it. And it can be seen [here].

So dig I did.

I found that the minor-leagues were full of Ys -- 126 Ys to be exact. The Ys in MLB hail from the Dominican Republic (71), Venezuela (24), Cuba (11), USA (5), Puerto Rico (4), Columbia (3), Japan (3), Brazil (1), Korea (1), Mexico (1), Panama (1), and Taiwan (1).

While 126 sounds sizable relative to the 10 on Major League rosters today it still only represents about 2% of all players under the control of MLB's 30 organizations. A large number of these Ys are also very young, kids of 17-18 years of age playing baseball in the Dominican Summer League. We're likely to never be graced with their presence on Yankee soil.

An army of Y

The Padres currently have 8 Ys under control (Yonder, Yoan, Yimmi, Yefri, Yorky, Yair, Yasmani, and Yordany). It's an impressive haul but not quite the army I had envisioned. The Padres tally falls behind the Pittsburgh Pirates (9) and the Kansas City Royals who lead the way with 10 Ys.

With he addition of Yu Darvish the Texas Rangers lead the way with 3 Ys on the Major League roster. But it is a curious combination of Ys that have been stockpiled in Arlington. With 92% of the Ys in MLB hailing from Latin America the Rangers plucked 4 out of 6 of their Ys from Asia.

Oppressors of Y

The White Sox, Orioles, Braves, Dodgers, Cardinals, Rockies, and Giants all host a meager 2 Ys each in their systems but it is the Red Sox and Angels who share a collective ignominy. The Red Sox have only 1 (Ynoel) and the Angels don't have an(y)*.

* Haha get it.

The most common Ys you'll find across minor league baseball are (with a wide array of spellings) Yimmy, Yonathan, Yovan, Yefri, Yunior, and Yorky.

The most unique* Ys are Yangervis, Yorfrank, Yacksel, Yeixon, Yucarybert, Yunerky and San Diego's very own, Yonder and Yasmani.

*Clearly this is a subjective statement. Go check out the list and be the judge yourself.

The truest dedication to Y can be found with these guys, who also received a Y middle name: Yonny Yoel Mosquera (Tigers) and Yimmi Yoel Brasoban (Padres).

Those born in America: Yazy Arbelo (D-Backs) United States-Florida, Yordy Cabrera (A's) United States-Florida, Yusef Carter (A's) United States- New York,  Yudelmis Hernandez (Blue Jays) United States-New Jersey. Three of the four players born in the U.S. are of Latin American decent which makes Yusef Carter* a rather unique Y in professional baseball.

*Yusef Carter is also the nephew of Joe Carter.

Those born in Cuba: Yonder Alonso (Padres), Yasmani Grandal (Padres),

Yimy Queipe-Rodriguez (Dodgers), Yaniel Cabezas (Cubs), Yunesky Sanchez (Pirates), Yuniesky Betancourt (Brewers), Yuniesky Maya (Nationals), Yadel Marti (A's) Cuba, Yem Prades (Royals) Cuba, Yunel Escobar (Blue Jays), Yadil Mujica (Yankees)

Why the letter Y?

The Cuban Ys have always interested me because  of the Russian influence on so many. We see it in MLB and on a grander scale on the Cuban national team itself.

We of a certain age all recall and understand the former relationship between Cuba and the Soviet Union and I equated the Russian influenced names (Yuniesky, Yulieski, Yuri) as a tribute to their benefactors. But was there something more to it?

Cuba's use of Y letter names was due to a few varying possibilities but I found that all were connected to either communism or the residue of imperialism.

The Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis conjure memories of a dangerous Soviet Union lurking in America's backyard. This Russian presence would eventually lead to Cuban parents bequeathing a name to their child which was clearly influenced by Soviet military advisers.

As communism took hold in Cuba after the revolution in 1959 Fidel Castro began to fight wars on behalf of the Soviet Union in an effort to further spread communism. These proxy wars were often fought in third world countries in Africa. It is thought that the Cuban soldiers who fought often returned home and named their children African influenced names. Many began with the letter Y.

In trying to explain why so many Y names exist in Cuba and other Latin American countries, such as the Dominican Republic, it is theorized that perhaps the names chosen are a tacit rejection of the country's Spanish and Roman Catholic roots, as many of their residents are of African decent.

The explanation for the letter Y which I find most interesting however, is its use in countering oppression. When a nation adopts communism the individual's creative side is often subverted in the name of what is best for the state. In Cuba, citizens expressed their creativity in the safest way possible -- through the naming of their children. Cuba's creativity expressed through naming rights.

With all of the Ys populating the lower divisions of baseball, whether they be from Cuba, the Dominican Republic or someplace else, the following question must be asked: Who will actually make it to the Major League stage?

With all of the Ys identified perhaps a fine person will do the leg work to create a top ten (or eleven) prospect list featuring the letter Y. Until then we can all dream.

Thomas Jefferson and Breakfasttown

I'll begin with a bit of honesty. You don't want to read this.

It's not really about Thomas Jefferson and limited constitutional government. It's not even about Breakfasttown, per se. If I was going to list people who would have the slightest interest in this non-sense, I'd cap it at about five people. Five Padres fans*. And I don't even think they would care.

Yet I must write about this experience . . .

I went to Washington D.C. last year. On day one we drove down to Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello. An amazing property. Historic. Anyways, I was with a group. I decided to wear a shirt that represented where I was from and also stood out amongst a sea of people. I went with a Gaslamp Ball creation: Welcome to Breakfasttown USA:

Bright. Beautiful. Breakfasttown. Glorious. 

So imagine my delight as I worked my way through a tour of Jefferson's Monticello only to find myself in his dining room where I literally disappeared . . .

Look at those Chrome Yellow walls! I stood against the wall and looked like a floating head.

While my smile stretched ear to ear, deep inside me resided a reservoir of pain. With a strict no photograph policy inside of the home I could not properly capture the glory of Breakfasttown's rendezvous with Thomas Jefferson. Instead I settled for a likeness from the historic site's web page.

My pain also extended from the knowledge that at that exact moment the San Diego Padres were taking batting practice in Washington D.C. preparing to face the Nationals in a three game series. I didn't see one of the games . . .

C'est la vie, as they say.

Thomas Jefferson, who held the French in high esteem, would likely agree.

* The five people who might give a hoot are those who have bought Breakfasttown t-shirts. I don't even know what the number is up to these days but I cannot imagine anyone outside of the t-shirt owning minority to care about this. And even then . . .

Over at The Fro: The PCL Padres and a New Deal

I've written a column at RJ's Fro in which the birth of the San Diego Padres is both examined and celebrated. You see, today marks the official announcement that San Diego would be receiving entrance into the Pacific Coast League. So it's a birthday story of sorts. And who do we have to thank for suffering these pangs of child birth? The answer may surprise you.

To continue the celebration..... AJM and RJ's Fro.

Me Not Here: Meg Whitman Fails To Vote on All-Star Game, Reserves Comments On Padres Snubs

The Great Padres All Star Game Snub Hullabaloo of 2010 got me thinking......how many of us complainers actually voted? I mean if you don't vote (similar to my beliefs in "real" political elections) can you really comment/complain?

After reflecting on the question the answer seemed fairly simple. At that point Meg Whitman entered the equation because.....well, she never votes.

Do me a favor and check it out over at 619Sports.net Go read it or I will detach your Latissimus Dorsi!!!

Memorial Day: a great day/great re-post/great cause

As a society we all too often remember those who've died fighting for our country but fail to remember those who've lived. These survivors will sometimes face the most unthinkable of challenges. One challenge brought to my attention a few years back was that of Traumatic Brain Injury. The UFC did a benefit for guys afflicted with these injuries a year and a half ago and it compelled me to write something about it. Enjoy....

December 10th, 2008
After a long day I turned on Spike this evening to find a Live UFC event. I was immediately captivated by two things:

1. The advertisement across the back of one fighter's trunks.
2. The audience decked out in camouflage UFC shirts.
   

Now, the advertisement was the impetus for this post.....trust me.....funny.....very funny (see: above link).....but my motivation to burn the midnight oil changed very quickly after I saw that it was not only a fight put on for the entertainment of US soldiers but for the benefit of them as well.

Specifically at hand was the issue of TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and the infusion of money needed to help these injured soldiers upon returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The event was not limited to TBI however, as the goal was to raise enough money to build a state of the art treatment facility that would cater to all soldiers returning home with life altering injuries. This endeavor is being undertaken by the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a not-for-profit organization.

Why keep reading?

The UFC card was interspersed with vignettes about some of our returning soldiers, the challenges they face, and unfortunately the inadequate care they receive. (click "Read More" to continue)

These little life stories had an intended impact and I cried. I'm sure I wasn't the only one. UFC announcer Mike Goldberg (paraphrasing) said that, "If you weren't moved by these stories you weren't a human!" It was not hyperbole.

TBI was first brought to my attention when I saw that ABC anchorman Bob Woodruff suffered a brain injury while embedded in Iraq. The documentary that was created a year after the injury discussed not only the challenges he was facing but the adverse conditions that veterans encountered upon return to the States. To see young men who gave so much only to receive so little from their government was a deplorable thing to view...

Throw politics out the window, it doesn't matter. These are the twenty-somethings brushing by you on a downtown sidewalk who by all accounts are just like us. Their story is still being written though, and it was a mere chapter ago that they were missing 1/3 of their brain encased in a newly created plastic skull and had spent the last year in the hospital wearing a helmet, undergoing intensive physical therapy. The picture I paint pales in comparison to what I saw in the Woodruff documentary and the little clips I watched during the UFC.

The economy is unsteady and our money is tight but I know who I would like to help here at year's end. Everything counts in small amounts (Depeche Mode?...sorry). Money is not always necessary though. Contact your Congressman/Congresswoman or U.S. Senator to encourage them to pass legislation in support of veterans affairs.

At the minimum I would encourage you to educate yourself on what these young men and women are encountering as they try and assimilate back into American life. I think the UFC tag line for the night said it best:

"They fight for us. Let's fight for them."

Intrepid Fallen Heroes Donations...Click Here.

The Bob Woodruff Family Foundation Donations...Click Here.

Identify and Contact Your Representative...Click Here.

Identify and Contact Your U.S. Senators...Click Here.

Godspeed

Isn't it strange that soldiers sacrifice so much yet the suggestion that civilians should make sacrifices of any sort for their country (conservation, curbing discretionary spending, community service, etc.) are often met with contempt and cries of, "un-American-ism!". Sorry. Didn't mean to get political. Enjoy Memorial Day.

Schilling and Sanguine Stocking to Senate?

Back in October of 2004 Curt Schilling and his bloody sock ruled the world. I took pleasure in seeing the Red Sox end The Curse because it was at the expense of the vaunted New York Yankees and their exorbitant payroll, capable of sustaining the lesser developed countries of the world.

Soon after the anticlimactic World Series victory, Curt Schilling would do the media rounds as all heroes do when at their peak. Schilling's rounds coincided with the 2004 Presidential Election; the election which was supposed to be a referendum on the failed policies of President George W. Bush.

While doing the talk circuit, Schilling, never one to withhold an opinion, quickly and quite emphatically dismissed the notion of an endorsement for Massachusetts' Senator John Kerry, for President. What stuck with me was how dismissive Schilling was of the suggestion; as if voting for someone other than the incumbent was tantamount to sedition. Really, I thought? Sure John Kerry's a bit of a stiff but.....have you seen the way Bush has governed? Heading into the election of '04, Bush's 1st term couldn't be described as anything less than disastrous. Curt Schilling lost me the day he thought more Bush was a good thing.....more George Bush.

Fast forward to 2009. Liberal Massachusetts icon, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, has passed away, his seat left vacant in The Upper House. Enter Curt Schilling and his bloody sock to fill the departed shoes of Ted Kennedy:

"I'm not going to divulge the discussions, but I've been contacted by people whose opinion I give credence to and listen to, and I listened," Schilling said.

Asked whether he would run, Schilling said, "As of today, probably not."

"I don't know, going forward," Schilling said. "That's a pretty big deal, from a commitment standpoint, not just for me but for my family."

After the interview, Schilling added to his comments with a statement he posted on his blog.

"I do have some interest in the possibility,"

Now, maybe someone who believes in George W. Bush and agrees with most of what Ann Coulter says would be good for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Then again, maybe not. Some of the comments I've read from the good people of Mass., seem to suggest that ol' Curt should stick to talkin' baseball. I tend to agree.

Politically I dislike traditional party labels as well as the restrictive nature of being a plotted point on the political spectrum. However, if pressed to categorize myself I would fall under the genus, A angustus Constitution substructio Habeanae*, which essentially means I have some Conservatism in my blood. Having admitted to that designation: Anyone who believes in George W. Bush or Ann Coulter is seriously f#cked in the head.**

I pray for Massachusetts....

*I used a Latin translator to yield the above phrasing. Loosely: A limited, Constitutionally based Government. I do not trust the Government to make sound decisions hence the 'limited' and the 'Constitutionally based'. The Constitution was meant to shackle our leaders thus protecting the people.

** Sorry for the political commentary. Curt Schilling started it.

Plaxico Burress: an excuse to use a great photoshop

The hammer came down on Plaxico Burress this morning. From the New York Times:

Plaxico Burress, the former Giants receiver, pleaded guilty on Thursday morning to attempted criminal possession of a weapon, in a deal with Manhattan prosecutors that will send him to prison for two years.

If the case were to go to trial and Mr. Burress were convicted of all charges — two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of second-degree reckless endangerment — he could face 3½ to 15 years in prison. The plea agreement still needs the approval of a State Supreme Court justice.

Mr. Burress, who caught the winning touchdown pass in the Giants’ 2008 Super Bowl victory against the New England Patriots, had a license to carry the gun in Florida, but it had expired nearly seven months before the shooting. Even if it were still valid, prosecutors said, Mr. Burress would not have been allowed to carry the weapon in New York.

Too harsh of a penalty for a self-inflicted injury? Let's see what the masses think...

Ochenta y Cinco says a lot of stupid things. This may be one of his better ideas.

Lights-out makes a valid point. When your gat slides down your pants you may be a douche.

This comment came from a reader at the NY Times. While I may agree that a deprivation of liberty for two years seems a bit steep let's not go throwing the "it's unconstitutional" banner over this issue. You see, there are certain people who are deemed menaces to society and as such it would be best not to have them carrying firearms. So states go about setting up laws that create barriers to owning weapons if you fall into this "menace" category; all the while trying to adhere to your constitutional protections.

I like these barriers....they make me feel safe when I choose to cruise out to clubs at 1:30 AM on a work night while leaving my little baby and wife at home. I want to know that responsible citizens and non-felons are the ones carrying weapons, so I don't get shot which would make it increasingly more difficult to make it home on a work night and to my little baby and wife I left at home.

While Plaxico was not a felon he was anything but responsible. The 2nd Amendment to the Constitution of the United States requires stipulations because of morons like Plaxico Burress. He didn't have his Glock registered in the state of NY. It's registration in the state of Florida had been expired for months, not that it would have mattered, because HE WAS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK!!!! He didn't have the safety on his Glock set. He didn't have his Glock secured to ensure that it wouldn't fall down his pants. He is not very responsible and that's why there are restrictions on our right to bear arms. To protect us from egregious violators of the law and common place morons. Sorry Plax, but you've proven yourself a moron.

Giving up even a bit of your personal Liberty is a slippery slope, a slope that I'd prefer not to traverse. I don't own a hand gun but I may buy one in the future. If that day comes I really don't like the idea that the federal government will be aware of my activity but such is the price one pays. I'd much rather know that if there's anyone actually packin' out on the streets, that they are non-criminals who've exhibited some semblance of responsibility by getting a license for their weapon. History tells us that even those who handle guns regularly are subject to catastrophic accidents so I'll concede a little liberty in this instance.

It should also be noted that New York City had a lot of crime in the early '80s and now they don't, relatively speaking. I read a book called the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell and he discusses some of the ways that New York cleaned itself up; I highly recommend it. In addition to Gladwell's study, I also have to think that strict gun laws have contributed to this decrease in crime. Call me crazy....

How 'bout one more tweet before we put the Plaxico story to rest:

Ehh........I too have a difficult time reconciling the Stallworth sentence and the case of Plaxico Burress.

Donte Stallworth killed another human being and he did it with marijuana in his system as well as a blood-alcohol-level that was above the legal limit. That's gross negligence and it cost someone their life.

Plaxico Burress could have killed someone and had he done so, it would have been gross negligence on his part.....but he didn't.....he's a moron who shot himself. Being punished for what you might do kind of sounds like life imitating art, a la the Minority Report. I don't know that I agree with that methodology.

Anyways...

Let's not forget how this country formed. Thirteen colonies existed as separate entities before they ever united. They thought of themselves as their own distinct nations with their own laws and customs. Their union developed as a means to an end; to defeat a seemingly invincible British Empire. Once this task was accomplished they returned to their old mindset of individual and distinct nations.

When the Constitution was eventually ratified, it was noted that the Union was entered into voluntarily by each State, and that this document would preserve the rights' of each of these States. Well now there are 50 States and they all have their own unique laws, Plax and fellow citizens......so, you better recognize!

Antonio Cromartie, The Constitution, and the incessant need of professional athletes to Twitter like 13 year old girls

After letting Twitter-gate roll around my mind for the last week (see: I am a complete laggard) I decided to play a little game called Cromartie's Constitutional Convention Connection. After all, it was Antonio Cromartie who claimed to have had his 1st Amendment rights violated when the Chargers fined him for Tweeting inane Tweets about camp food and Super Bowl draughts ..... free speech in America and all. I'll spare you the Norv Turner and Thomas Jefferson ,"Awkward Genius", comparisons and delve right into that stifling Philadelphia summer of 1787.

Back in 1787 a bunch of fellas got together in the City of Brotherly Love to make some profound fixes to the existing governing document of the United States. Pure crap, those Articles of Confederation. Very little power had been given to Congress and the lack of enforceable action by this political body was comical. Additionally, the infant nation lacked an entity such as an Executive Branch that could not only check the authority of Congress but could provide much needed leadership---imagine an NFL without the stewardship of the heavy handed Roger Goodell ---rampaging athletes without limits to be sure . So during a sweltering summer these fellas hashed out their differences, made a slew of compromises and prepared the country for a new course.

There was a problem though, with this new governing document. There were Federalists who wanted a much stronger role for the central government and then there were the Anti-Federalists who desired.....wait for it..... the opposite. Anti-Federalists clamored for certain rights to be written down, set in stone for all to acknowledge as unalienable. Federalists thought this was silly, "The rights were implied!", they proclaimed. This Federalist faction also noted that if the Convention were to write down specific rights to be protected they would invariably miss a few that were unforeseen (see abortion rights and Tweeting about your Government)......then could these unlisted rights be freely violated by their Government?

The Anti Federalists led by Thomas Jefferson tasked one of the top intellects of the day, James Madison to create a Bill of Rights for this new Constitution. Madison was smart so he just created an amendment (9th) that would encompass all things not written down explicitly into the document of 1787: If it ain't written down it's reserved for the people. People usually forget that one.....but they don't forget the 1st Amendment. The 1st covers a good many freedoms the most important of which is our Freedom of Speech, and that's why we're here Bolt Fans......

Chargers: Training Camp: Constitutional Law

Was Antonio Cromartie's Freedom of Speech violated when the Charger's brass fined him and admonished him not to be a twit while Tweeting?

Cromartie says yes. A few who write the stories concur. What about the fans? I've heard far too many scream, "This is Un-American!". Let's look at the text of the grand old document, shall we?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

I went ahead and highlighted the important parts for Antonio Cromartie and all else who think that he has been wronged.

Our Freedom of Speech has nothing to do with Tweeting whatever you want. Nor does it have anything to do with being able to voice our unique selves to the world. It only says that Congress (GOVERNMENT) can't silence your voice (with a few exceptions). So Cro' can tweet all he wants about how the Federal Government is raping his monthly NFL paychecks and he can do it all without reprisals from The Man (and by "The Man" I mean Obama not Goodell as big Rodge would likely call him into the office for the ingratitude). But the 1st Amendment doesn't protect his speech when it goes against the wishes of his employer and so he is subject to being censured.

The spirit of the 1st amendment is to prevent your government from stifling your voice--
a voice which, in its active state, is the life-blood of a democracy.
Twittering about your employer's cafeteria
escapes the purview of this protection.

I was always free to tell my parents that I'm old enough to do what I want and they were free to revoke my privileges to the family car. Just like Cro' is free to Tweet what he wants and the Chargers are free to terminate him--or in this case, to fine him and tell him to shut it.

The Constitution and the misinterpretation of our governing document aside there are two bigger issues at hand for the Chargers in their 5oth Anniversary year: The content of Tweets and Twittering itself.

I'll begin with Antonio Cromartie's Tweet:

crimetime31: Man we have 2 have the most nasty food of any team. Damn can we upgrade 4 str8 years the same ish maybe that's y we can't we the SB we need

Indeed, Cromartie accurately assessed San Diego's Super Bowl deprivation by blaming it on the organization's choice of caterers...... but such is the curse of Twitter and its debilitating limitation of 140 characters. The completion of AC's Tweet, space permitting, was:

crimetime31:your star CB sh*t the bed when he came up 13 interceptions short of breaking the rec, I had the nerve to boast bout breakin over the prev. sum. Sorry SD fans. (dammit! that was over 140 characters too!)

Think stupid things but don't say or Tweet them. Tweet in cliches Cro' (go watch Bull Durham and listen to Crash Davis and Nuke LaLoosh discuss the topic). You don't need the spot light on you after last season. Be quiet and workman like.

The act of Twittering itself by our young defensive superstars was best articulated by a reader, screen-named Boltsfanatic, at the Union Tribune:

As a lifelong Charger fan it doesn't make me less embarrassed about the idiocy that Cromartie is able to misspell or hide the fact that Merriman uses Twitter like a 13 year old girl in a chat room with the Jonas Brothers. I like it when football players are allowed to show personality, but the Chargers have too many classy players to be overshadowed by idiots who self promote on Twitter.

Well said Boltsfanatic. I followed Crimetime31 for approximately 4 minutes until I realized that he too Twitters like a 13 year old girl in a chat room with the Jonas Brothers. I quickly dropped him like Cro's 2008 interception totals. Uphold the integrity of the organization as well as yourselves and keep your eyes on the prize, fellas.

A focused Antonio Cromartie and Shawne Merriman are the only way that Vince's Hardware will find its way to San Diego. Bolts in 2009-20010.

The trophy that would bear his name

Editor's Note:
Do not dispute the analysis found here. I drink beer and watch the Chargers on Sundays. On the other six days of the week I am a Constitutional Law expert (I say this with the full understanding that the term "expert" is subjective and bandied about quite freely these days.....just look at Matt Millen and his ability to get an analyst's job at ESPN).

We Endorse The "Vote For Manny" Blog

Satire is good.

Through humor, eyes are pried wide open. Satire promotes inquiry. It can even be a catalyst for change. When we discuss "change" it is not in the political context of "Change we can believe in"......no, the change we have in mind is not some ubiquitous slogan which was put through market research groups, approved, and printed in mass.

No, the change some of us are looking for is not in the abstract but the concrete......wet concrete......and to mix our metaphors we'll just say, the sloppy sort of wet concrete mess you might find in the shorts of Commissioner Bud Selig as the 2009 All star game approaches. Hard ball fans: we bring to your awareness.....

www.voteformanny.blogspot.com

A clever blog by a NY fan/writer/polemicist whose purpose is to promote the selection of Manny Ramirez INTO the All Star game via fan vote......but not for the reasons you think. This venture is strictly a means to an end for we, the fans of the game.

The idea: to force Bud Selig's hand in having to acknowledge and then address the possibility of a positive testing player (Performance Enhancing Drugs) making the all-star team. As San Diegans we saw a similar situation and the firestorm that ensued back in '05 when Shawne Merriman made the Pro Bowl after having served a 4 game steroid suspension. We are presented with a fantastic opportunity sport fans. Do not let the possibility of that Dread-head douche occupying left field in Busch Stadium deter you from forcing the issue.

There are those that will argue that voting for Manny, who is currently running fourth in the voting, will only prevent a more deserving player from earning a spot:

Raul has been solid. You need not worry. Mr. Selig will do the right thing.

Sorry. Sometimes you must destroy something beautiful to rebuild it correctly. Without pain there can not be gain. Insert any other metaphor you'd like but the bottom line is that the drug issue must be confronted on a national platform and more likely than not Raul Ibanez would thank you for providing him a nice little vacation during the middle of an arduous season.

There are those that will argue that this sort of measure will only serve to further damage the image of MLB:

C.J. has tarnished his own image. Edit twice...publish once my friend.

See previous argument. MLB already has two black eyes and they've been achieved under the stewardship of Commissioner Selig. This could be an opportunity for Bud to do the right thing by implementing a policy shift that illustrates an act of good faith for MLB's fans (i.e. banning Manny and all future positive testers from All-Star games and to take it a step further---ban these players from eligibility for individual season awards----this would show that he takes the PED issue seriously).

Lastly there are those who just don't quite understand the literary device of satire....

No....insanity is responding to things you disagree with at 3:30 AM

....or you don't know how to read and instead resort to inferences based on the titles of blogs you look at-- and please notice that we use the words "look at" and not "read". Hopefully one day you'll get it and when you do, "it'll be the most beautiful day of your life." A Durdian moment to be sure.

Vote Manny in so that Bud can vote him out. Exact some Change We Can Believe In: Vote on-line for Manny Ramirez and visit the blog created in his "honor". Vote For Manny Blog

Los Angeles Dodgers Website for Direct Voting and Ballot Box Stuffing.

**Comments courtesy of nit wits visiting the Vote For Manny Blog.

Mailbag: The Soul of Civil Disobedience

Precursor to The Great Fire Wall of China

Since we've cut down our posting a bit in recent weeks we'll take this opportunity to give you a cheap post: it's called Mailbag. We field all comments and suggestions and these were all based on our post Steely Moments in Civil Disobedience. Here it goes....

It's good to see you using your powers for good and not evil.
-Blue
Thank you Blue. We'd like to think that we are purveyors of high-minded, principled commentary with a conscience. Although we'll settle for the low-browed hypocrisy as well.....you know that better than anyone.

Congrats M#$%,

Your rant is not allowed here in China!

The Great Fire Wall did not allow it: (.

-Ollie
What an honor! 86'ed from an entire country! Well I wish you could have read it Ollie but alas the Great Fire Wall has 1 billion minds to protect from incendiary insight and.....wait a minute! We've had people from China (as we check our google analytics) view our site before...........ahhhh-ha!

This post was banned presumably because of a certain name that was slipped in as a primary example of political/sporting fusion: Gold Medalist Speed Skater Joey Cheek. After his political activism in Turin, Italy at the 2006 Winter Olympiad he went on the radar of future Olympic organizers such as China. With China's tacit support of Sudan's genocide in Darfur through guns for oil, the last thing China would want is a rebel-rouser like Cheek visiting during such a public showcase such as the Olympics. Promptly, Cheek's visa was rejected, and he never made the trip last August........this post mentions Cheek's name so we'll guess that The Great Fire Wall will also crush this piece of resistance like so many nomadic invaders of the previous two millenia. I feel so warm and fuzzy.....proud really.

AIC
Extremely well written,unfortunately with the lack of "hot ass" I question if said blogger truly understands his audience.
In the future I would make the effort to find a lusty swimmer, gymnast, or volleyball player protesting sexism, political intolerance or cruelty to beavers and plaster any and all revealing photos all over the blog.
Just this man's (married) humble opinion.
-Mark
Noted, Mark. It was absentminded of us to not include the politically active women of sport so without further adieu, we present Billy Jean King. It was back in 1973 that Bobby Riggs proclaimed that his "maleness" made him superior to female player Billy Jean King thus leading them to spar in the "Battle of the Sexes" at the Houston Astrodome. Ms. King took up the mantle and successfully battled the pervasive sexism of the day. It is because of her that not just female tennis players owe her a debt of gratitude but all of today's female athletes who are able to make a comfortable living through athletics. In lieu of Billy Jean King pictures we'll instead provide you with her beneficiaries:

Maria Sharapova-Tennis

Anna Kournikova-Tennis

Natalie Coughlin-Swimming

Amanda Beard-Swimming

Logan Tom-Volleyball

We salute you, Billy Jean King.

Steely Moments in Civil Disobedience

Long have I been a fan of civil disobedience as showcased in the arena of sports.

Some argue for a disconnect between our entertainment and politics...... this is an opinion I wholeheartedly respect. It is akin to the notion that talking religion or politics is poor form whilst throwing back case after case of Pabst Blue Ribbon at the local watering hole. While it is the spectator's opinion that I respect it is the sportsman's courage and representation of civic duty that I truly admire.

It goes back, for me, to that iconic image from Mexico City in 1968. Seeing Tommy Smith and John Carlos, with black sheathed fists thrust skywards, draped in the symbols of 400 years of oppression, was an historic human moment......one that also angered a country in the throws of change:

Tommy Smith recounted, "If I win, I am American, not a black American. But if I did something bad, then they would say I am a Negro. We are black and we are proud of being black. Black America will understand what we did tonight."

Whether or not you agreed with the sentiments conveyed by Smith and Carlos you had to admire the expression by a free people, despite it taking place on an Olympic stage that is designed to be apolitical.

A long line of athletes involved with politics would continue to emerge on a national stage. From Rosey Grier wrestling Sirhan Sirhan to the ground after the RFK assassination to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (aka Chris Jackson) turning his back during the National Anthem before games in the Association. It would be easy to call the former heroic and the latter reprehensible but it is the willingness to involve oneself in the debate or to simply create the debate by standing up for a belief that is of greatest import (although it is worth noting that to make millions in the NBA while admonishing the country that provides the same opportunity is hypocrisy in it's worse form).

It is , no doubt, our recent history that has laid the groundwork for the most politically inspired. The inspired ranks have now swelled to include Pittsburgh Steeler James Harrison who recently refused to accept the invitation by President Obama to attend the annual Super Bowl Champions' visit. I would like to think that the Defensive Player of the Year sat wistfully in front of the television during the 2006 Winter Olympiad and found his inspiration from Gold Medalist Speed Skater Joey Cheek who donated his medal bonus to an international humanitarian organization. This organization, called Right to Play, had been established by another gold medal winning speed skater named Johann Olav Koss. Such selfless acts by men who's political associations could serve to tarnish reputations long in the making.

see labels...says it all

It is from the specter of these great athletes that Harrison manifests himself. He is not protesting President Obama's ill advised appointment of a poorly vetted Tom Daschle for Health and Human Services. Nor is he chiding #44 for appearances on Al Jazeera television to discuss Middle East relations. These are not Harrison's issues......his White House ire has been stirred by something much deeper. In Harrison's own words:

"This is how I feel -- if you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don't win the Super Bowl. As far as I'm concerned, he [Obama] would've invited Arizona if they had won," said Harrison.

Well said James.

The audacity of Obama with his flimsy 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue invites! When lines are drawn in the sand Americans must, to paraphrase Eldridge Cleaver, "choose whether they will be a part of the problem or the solution." The scope of this issue is too grand to find your self on the wrong side. Thank you, Mr. Harrison for continuing the tradition of athletes putting themselves on the line and taking up courageous positions on some of the most harrowing causes of our time, and arguing them so succinctly.

We're with the Defensive Player Of the Year.

This Is The End: March 29th extremely weak Round-up

“At the end of the day, I want to win,” Moorad says. “I won't rest until the Padres win a World Series ... I think you can win even in a smaller to medium-sized market (like San Diego) with a smaller to medium-sized payroll. We just have to be better and smarter than our competition.”

-Jeffrey Moorad (new Padres CEO and eventual owner)

With our 4th or 5th starters yet to be named and an untested bullpen we find ourselves apprehensive. As March comes to a close the Padres still lack any kind of speed and have power so dubious that the reasonable man must take stock and note that the prospects for the 2009 season are disheartening. There is reason for hope, though.

Spring is a time of renewal and, as such, also a symbol of hope. All you should really need though is the above quote to instill that glimmer of hope. Note the words that new Padre CEO Jeff Moorad chooses: never does he say that he is "looking to remain competitive in the NL West" or that "there's no reason that we can't be competitive". Those are the refrains of a previous regime...Jeff Moorad says he wants a World Series and he won't rest until the Padres get one. We like the sound of that. We recommend reading the remainder of the UT article to get a feel for why "the times they-are-a-changin'".

Modest start preceded Moorad's rise
[San Diego Union Tribune-Mark Zeigler]

However, if you still cannot muster some positive vision for the short term that's O.K. too.......complain away! As a Padre fan you've earned the right. You were told to vote "Yes" back in 1998 and the future would forever be bright. But it's 2009 and the "Bark Park" novelty has worn off to the casual fan so we're left with the same old cost cutting measures of days gone past. With a $40 million dollar payroll we will trudge through a weak NL West and compete against a Dodger team that just paid Manny Ramirez over $20 million.......we need not do the math for you.

We were lied to so feel free to deliver your bellows of rage. Don't let guys on the radio tell you that you should only be extolling the favorables on account of a new ownership group easing into place and April just on the horizon. Be cynical. Be skeptical. It's the Padres 40 year anniversary...you've earned it.

We're hopeful though, and satisfied that Jeff Moorad is at the helm. Check out the following audio:perhaps it will quell your pessimism.

Jeffrey Moorad with Scott & BR
[XX1090--3/27/09]
Kevin Towers with Darren Smith
[XX1090--3/27/09]

There's another thing that is quite outstanding about Moorad....he received his law degree from..........wait for it........Villanova! The bracket was blown up today but it is on life support with the "Villanova in the finals" selection. It looks like a Michigan St/Villanova final will be needed. Go Nova!

The week has ended and we can all agree that life is Too Short to not envision a little hope on the horizon...

Editor's Note:
The bearded fella sitting next to Senator McCain is Jeff Moorad. Moorad claims that the Senator knows more about the Diamondbacks than most people in the Arizona front office which explains precisely two things:

1. D-Backs's poor showing in 2008.
2. McCain's inability to differentiate between the Sunni and Shia sects of Islam (keep your eye on the ball Mr. McCain)
   

Sports Illustrated Polls The Holy Trinity

Sports Illustrated (SI.com) has a section called Extra Mustard which deals with all sorts of goofy pop culture crap ranging from new video games to hot cheerleaders of the week. What ever.....if mixing that sort of nonsense with sports is SI's thing......then, honestly, we're all for it.

This week's Extra Mustard is running a poll: Who Is The World's Hottest Jessica?

Obviously the Holy Trinity of Jessicas are in play but to this Blog's dismay Ms. Alba is running two points behind Ms. Biel. It feels like Presidential primaries all over again! The candidates are charging into New Hampshire trying to set the tone for the election season and its up to YOU to restore the proper pecking order for the Holy Trinity of Jessicas....

In the Name of the Alba


The Biel


and the Pop Singer Simpson


......get thy self to the polls and push this site's Avatar over the top!
Sports Illustrated says it is socially acceptable to partake.

Currently Polling at 35%
VOTE FOR JESSICA ALBA HERE

Radio Talent For Hire

May the torture never end? The September collapse of the '07 Padres followed by the shocking collection of talent on display during the '08 campaign were gutting to say the least. The high expectations of the Chargers in both '07 and '08 only to be left asking: "Why God? Why have you forsaken we?"

The meandering month of February, where we wait for both the NFL Draft and MLB Opening day, is akin to being water-boarded in a secret eastern European CIA prison. The torture is further dispensed via the impending (?) cut of LT and the horrible daily sports radio we are subjected to from 3-7pm each day.

There is radio TALENT out there, though......they just aren't on the radio! Instead they find themselves blogging furiously like Bruce Lee's fists! Who is this I speak of? I speak of the bludgeoned staff of XTRA Sports 1360 AM: Craig Elsten and Chris Ello. It would be nice to have some knowledgeable locals to listen to on the drive home each day but it is not to be.

Fear not sports-fans.... those of you who are pining for the days of knowledge are also the same people who know how to read..... and LIKE to READ! To you, I say: "Check out the 411 on 619 Sports."

619 Sports Blog with Craig Elsten and Chris Ello

Listening to the radio is dying an accelerated death.....we'll have to get our info elsewhere.

Forthcoming: "A More Swiftian Modest Proposal".....we have a take on how to handle HOF inductions during the steroid era. In the meantime you can check out Elsten's "Modest Proposal": Click Here.

Editor's note: The above picture is in fact an ABC water-boarding demo and not a Golden Shower courtesy of Charlie Gibson...

A Bone To Pick with XX

The Monday night XX1090 Bleacher Bum broadcast brought us the following:

"NFL EXPERT Peter King said, 'I think the Chargers would be wise to move on from LT'. That's SI.com writer and NFL EXPERT Peter King's opinion, not mine".

This bit of information was popped in right before a commercial break by Jordan Downtown and there was no further elaboration. The point seemed to be that there was an Expert out there who felt it.....an Expert out there who said it.....Peter King is an authority and Expert on the NFL....Therefore Peter King's opinion should be accepted in good faith and taken as NFL gospel.....Peter King said it San Diego and, 'You need to accept it'......don't shoot the messenger (Jordan).

Whether LT should stay or go is incidental. Nor is it of primary importance that the comment was incendiary in nature as there was no legitimate set-up to the quote or discussion afterwards. It was simply dropped in before the break.....and the listener was asked to accept it as sound analysis due to the source: Peter King......Your NFL "Expert".

There are many people who are granted the title of "Expert" in a wide array of fields. Look at any case that makes it to court. The Defense always counters the Prosecution's "Experts" with their own set of "Experts". Their goal....to convince the jury that their opinion on the matter is MORE "Expert" than the opinion that stands in opposition.

How about Experts in terrorism? Richard Clarke held the title of "Terror Czar" leading up to the 9/11/2001 attacks which essentially meant he was thee terrorism Expert. He was the Expert who was most correct in his analysis of the threat by a terror organization known as al Qaeda. But there was another group of Experts who thought his national security assessment was a bit too dire and did not require immediate attention. Those Experts carried titles such as National Security Adviser, Secretary of Defense and a few other notable positions at the top of our government's hierarchy. Ironically it was Richard Clarke who offered apologies in the wake of this tragedy.

Those two examples serve to illustrate the point that anybody can be called an Expert but that the label in and of itself does not signify infallibility. We know this to be true. Infallibility is not a common trait amongst men.

Here is the big issue though. When you have a wide reaching forum (a XX1090 Radio Program) and you throw out a statement such as, "Peter King is an Expert. Here's what he said. Accept it as fact because I attached the Expert label.", it creates a problem because it gives the audience license to accept the author's opinion as a given. Why do any research on our own? We've already been told that an expert said it! The question, good listener/reader, should really be: Who is this Peter King fellow, Expert of NFL Goings On?

Obey

I am here, XX listeners, to share with you some valuable insight regarding Mr. Peter King. On Sunday evenings as well as Super Bowl Sunday we are treated to what amounts to the game of the week and it is broadcast by NBC (Forget MNF-It's DEAD). There are many Experts who sit on the pre-game panel for NBC's game of the week....broadcast Experts such as Bob Costas, Dan Patrick, Keith Olberman, ET AL. Then you have your former football players who are Experts in game strategy, formations, and general information that only former Grid Iron Greats have experienced and understand therefore seem best equipped to explain to the lay fan. Then there is your print journalist who contributes to the show. He is also an "Expert" and he shares all of his scoops with the public. This Expert's Name is Peter King.

Oh where to begin?

The panel of Experts for NBC included Matt Millen during the Super Bowl. Matt Millen is the worst General Manager in the history of football. This is not hyperbole nor is it opinion! It is an indisputable fact yet NBC saw fit to have him espousing his views cultivated as an NFL Insider for the last two decades...installed as an EXPERT. Be weary of the man who bears the crown of Expert (and engineers 0-16 teams).

You see, the hallmark of any successful franchise, is the stockpiling of WRs

Question anyone who would pawn off Matt Millen as an Expert in educating football minds! This new found skepticism will then force you to more closely analyze Peter King's viewpoints. Peter King, the Expert, chose the following teams for his Final Four this year: New England, Jacksonville, Dallas, and Minnesota. Not very Expert. Do you know who he picked to win the AFC North? Browns. Wild card Picks? Colts and Jets. Hmmm....what's missing?

Steelers missed the playoffs!?!?!?!
Expert?

Bleacher Bum Jordan expects you to take his word that Peter King is an "Expert" but we will ask that you suspend acceptance of that belief until you read a part of his weekly SI.com article:

Enjoyable/Aggravating Travel Note of the Week

Sight to behold on the day after the Super Bowl at the Orlando Airport: Group of Steelers fans, getting ready to fly home, seated in the Continental departure area, waiting for a flight to Newark. They're happy. They're disheveled. One 40-ish man, portly, has a black Penguins T-shirt on, and he's eating some chicken, and he doesn't have a napkin, and when he finishes, he takes the bottom of his T-shirt, lifts it up, wipes his mouth with it -- revealing a huge and hairy stomach --and then wipes his hands with it.

Would you take those crazed rambling as those of an Expert? It sounds like the lunacy of a blogger who writes of inane concepts like The Holy Trinity of Jessicas and somehow tries to equate Brett Favre of the Jets to the Pussycat Dolls. Writing about "stupid shit" is in the realm of expertise for this blog so please don't ever confuse my football "Opinions" to be that of an "Expert".....unless I'm discussing "stupid shit" as my credentials are unmatched. In short, don't let Peter King do your thinking for you (he's frequently wrong).

Peter King Musing About A Fat Steeler Fan or Pictures of Jessica Alba?

This has been a treatise on the misapplication of the "Expert" label in all aspects of life. It was not so much an attempt to nitpick XX1090's host but to emphasize the importance of inquiry as opposed to the acceptance of random opinions as dogma.

The intended purpose was also to speak for the Fans.....The fans of San Diego Sports.

That loyal group of Fans who oddly enough seem to be in the minority these days.....never the less, our loyalty to the Chargers and Padres will be rewarded......someday.

Just Tryin' to Keep it Real....

~For More Peter King "Ridiculousness": Click Here