Testimonies Unsealed

In an early holiday gift for the judge in the Barry Bonds' prejury trial. Approved on Wednesday a request made the government last week, to lift the veil on a reported 33,000 pages of previously sealed grand jury testimony. These pages include the testimony on dozens of top athletes, who testified five years ago before a San Francisco jury.

Some of the more damning evidence thought to be coming out in the files are many of Bonds' test results for anabolic steroids.

Judge Susan Illston has ordered that the threat of prosecution and jail time be removed from any BALCO witness of source who wants to leak information. There are three categories of evidence covered by the order: transcripts, medical records, and laboratory results all stemming from search warrant affidavits.

In all this could start to paint a more clear picture for us bystanders/sports fans. Of the more than 30 witnesses who testified, almost all had little tidbits leaked in the San Francisco Chronicle years ago.

Victor Conte, BALCO mastermind, believes that the release of testimony and lab results may hold a silver lining for defense lawyers in the Bonds case. Because it could appear the government engaged is selective enforcement by focusing on Barry Bonds.

Absolutely it looks selective, when Bonds was so defiant to the Federal Prosecutors. It would only seem logical to build a case against him, for his actions. I believe the Federal Government isn't in the habit of coming after just anybody. They only do this when they think they have enough evidence, what's the old saying, where there is smoke there is fire. We still do not know everything in the sealed court documents, but come March, when the Bonds case goes to trial we'll all learn a heck of alot more.

Maybe by the end of this they will put an asterisk next to his name in the record book, "All-Time HR Leader*".

2 Florida State players arrested in campus fight - Yahoo! News

2 Florida State players arrested in campus fight - Yahoo! News: "TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Two Florida State freshman wide receivers have been arrested on misdemeanor battery charges stemming from a fight in the student union two weeks ago.
University officials say 20-year-olds Bert Reed and Cameron Wade turned themselves in Wednesday at the Leon County Jail and were released after posting bond. They and three other players who participated in the fight were suspended for Florida State's last game against Boston College. No suspensions have been announced for Saturday's game against Florida.
Campus police still are investigating the Nov. 12 fight between football players and fraternity members.
(This version CORRECTS that players were suspended for game against Boston College not Florida.)"

This is a perfect example of why Myron Rolle is a brilliant shining star and a roll model that young black men should try and emulate. I know there are many more examples but this is just the latest and best example for the young student athlete.

With the recent election of President Barrack Obama, whom I did vote for. I do have a question for the black community, is it fair to ask or to expect more/meaning to raise the bar of expectations higher for themselves? I would hope the answer is yes. And that America can move even closer to being unified, in more than in name its self.

"The Mitchell Report" One Year Later

It has been almost one year since George Mitchell came out with his now infamous report on drugs in baseball, claims he wouldn't change a thing. His investigation of illegal substances in baseball tarnished the reputation of many star players and dozens of other, Roger Clemens being the most notable.

The Mitchell Report created a sense of all players being on some kinda of drug or hormone, and that the clubhouses were just teeming with performance -enhancers. This did lead to a more strict drug agreement between the owners and the players union. Which was uncommon for the two sides to come to such a quick agreement, something fans are not used to. Because the player union Representative Donald Fehr had always fought tooth and nail to keep such things out of the collective bargaining agreement. In the past, I think the owners never fought hard enough, but they have always had there own internal problems.

In a half-hour interview last week, from his midtown Manhattan office, The former Senate Majority Leader stated. "The impression I get is that it's had a significant impact of reducing usage, although that still remains very difficult to measure with any complete precision." In all Mitchell's 409-page report implicated seven former MVPs and 31 All-Stars--one for every position. It also identified 85 other ball players to differing degrees.

Most players like Troy Glaus and Andy Pettitte bounced back with remarkable ease. But others like Roger Clemens and Rafael Palmero are still reeling from the sting of this report. Palmero who did, in front of Congress no less, say he didn't use drugs. He later tested positive for banned substances.

The biggest question now that these players are retired is what to with them when there Hall of Fame vote comes up? I personally think they should all be banned for life. I believe this to be as severe of an infringement to the game as gambling is. Only problem, there isn't much proof. So what should be done? Unfortunately they will be allow in to the hallowed halls of Cooperstown.

The Student Athlete

The Rhodes Scholar Trust announced its 2008 recipients today Nov 23. The scholars being selected from 764 applicants endorsed by 294 colleges and universities. The Trust Scholarships, the oldest of the international study awards to American students, provide two of three years of study. The students will enter Oxford University in England next October.

The Rhodes Scholarship was created in 1902 by British philanthropist Cecil Rhodes. Winners are selected on the basis of high academic achievement, personal integrity, leadership potential and physical vigor, among other attributes. Past winners include President Bill Clinton, U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter, Singer Kris Kristofferson, Former U.S. Senator and New York Knick Bill Bradley, and General Wesley Clark (ret.). In all 3,142 Americans have won Rhodes Scholarships representing 307 colleges and universities

Myron Rolle a defensive back at Florida State was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship today. He not your typical student athlete, especially if you are playing at this program. Florida State is not synonymous with athletics and higher education, as they seam to have their fair share of field troubles year in and year out.

Myron Rolle who should be made an example to the next generation of student athletes. "In the midst of the trouble that have gone on here at Florida State academically there are still student athletes doing the right thing," Rolle said. " Possibly we can move that perception from being a school that's just focused on partying and athletics.

Rolle who is one FSU's top defensive backs was allowed to miss the beginning of Saturday's game vs. Maryland for his interview with the Trust committee. Bowden was quoted as saying, "It's a no-brainer," and I know academics come first." One can only wish that Bowden and other coach staff's around the country would recruit more players like Rolle.

Myron Rolle is coach Bowden's first Rhodes Scholar athlete, in a career that has spanned six decades.

I would like to commend Rolle in his pursuit of a higher education. I wish the NCAA promoted more of this type of student athlete. I'm not crazy to believe every player is going to win a Rhodes Scholarship, but can they not strive for this type of excellence? These athletes have a gift, and for the most part are rewarded with some kind of aide form there respective schools.

I do not believe these same institutes always have the best interests of the there student athletes. If they did than the amount of academic fraud, we have all heard, or read and even may have first hand knowledge of, is appalling. We all know it goes to some extreme at every major program.

Why does the NCAA allow this to continue? They catch only those who are blatantly cheating, a bigger question maybe why to people turn a blind eye to this. One very large reason is greed, the revenues these programs generate appear to allow this cycle to go on and on. How or when does it stop or end. One way would to be actually foster and promote the student athlete, and maybe just maybe, we as Americans could find the leaders we desperately need at this time.

contributing The Associated Press

Why did we expect more?

I've had a request to write a blog on my beloved Minnesota Vikings. I didn't want to start my blogs about the my favorite teams. There pathetic play is calling to me and other readers to write something.

There are so many things to rant about I don't know where to start. So, let me start with the offense, the skill positions, ha. The Viking wide receivers have got to be the worst group in the NFL, absolutely horrible. A great example of this is week 5 vs. the Saints. Peterson had only 32 yds rushing on 21 carries. 32 yds. against one of the leagues worst defenses, are you kidding me. I know the Vikings won this game but is wasn't because of how they played. It doesn't get any easier for the Vikings who play 5 of there next 6 games against strong run defenses.

To say the Vikings have tried to build the WR position through the draft maybe fair to say. They did spend two first round picks at the position. Both came from the same University, South Carolina- Steve Spurriers gamecocks. There first pick was Troy Williamson. I still don't why they drafted him at all. They knew he had an eyesight problem, depth perception, and couldn't catch a ball. As any Viking fan can tell you. Next came Sidney Rice, also from South Carolina. I think Spurrier has a spell on the Vikings.

Besides poor draft choices there are the free agents they have signed, Bobby Wade and Bernard Berrian. Bobby freaking Wade was there big free agent signing a few seasons back. I hated Wade at the University of Arizona and still hate him today. I'd like to say thanks to the Chicago Bears for letting them go. What were the Vikings thinking? Lets raid the Bears WR's because they have such a vaunted passing attack. Yes that vaunted Bears passing attack, can they even get the ball down by passing it? Alright, Vikings way to go, sign there free agents. Have the Bears even had a passing attack since the Ditka Bears of the mid 80's.

Poor poor Dante Culpepper, its to bad he wore out his welcome in the Twin Cities. This has given us Tarvaris Jackson, doesn't exactly strike fear into opposing teams. Then there is Gus Frerotte, I don't even say about this guy. A career back-up, who is now a starter, with only one play maker around him-(Adrian Peterson). Should we have really expected more than what we are getting from him, no. Frerotte is a nice back-up, fill-in for a half, but not a lead your team for the entire season. So far in 8 wks. as starter he is 143-246 with 1757 yds. 11 tds and 11 ints. and a passer rating of only 76.6. Is this honestly good enough, I think not.

Mike Mussina, Hall of Famer or not?

Is Mike Mussina a hall of farmer or not? My very first gut reaction was yes. After closer scrutiny of his career numbers he may not warrant an invite to the Hall of Fame. Mussina, who finished last season with his first 20 win season, at 20-9 with a 3.37 era.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he's just the fifth pitcher since 1900 to win 20 games or more in the final season of his career--and the first since Sandy Koufax in 1967. He's the only pitcher of the five to win his 20th game in his final start of the season.

With only one twenty win season in 18 stellar years, does this merit a HOF nod? In an era of steroids and the long ball. Mussina had only given up 376 career hrs with a 3.68 era during the same period. That works out to less than 21 hrs a season on avg., that is remarkable.

The most noticeable drawback for Mussina, would be lack of awards. Mussina has never once won a CY Young award, he has finished 2nd several time, but has never won the award. He does have 6 Gold Glove Awards to his credit. He 3 in a row starting in 1996-1998, 2001, 2003 and his last one coming this last season 2008.

Peter Gammons commented on the Mike and Mike radio program, that he will vote for Mussina. Who will be eligible for the Hall in 2013. Gammons believes we need to seperate this era's pitchers from pitchers of the pre-steroid era, i.e. Bert Blyleven. Who in my opinion deserves to be voted into the Hall of Fame.

While looking at Mike Mussina's 18 year career the question still remains. Does he get into the Hall of Fame? After looking at what he done gold gloves, world series rings, etc. I think, ultimately I think he will be this era's Bert Blyleven. He will be close with no cigar, a bridesmaid but never the bride, just like most of his career.

Is Cuban guilty or not?

On Nov. 17, 2008- Billionaire Mark Cuban was sued by U.S. regulators over claims he made illegal insider trades four years ago is shares of Internet search company Mamma.com Inc. These charges are civil not criminal at this time, but could change depending on Cuban's compliance.

The SEC's complaint focuses on a series of phone calls and messages between Cuban, the Company and his broker. Scott Friestad, the SEC enforcement official overseeing the case, is quoted as saying. "It is fundamentally unfair for someone to use access to nonpublic information to improperly gain an edge on the market."

In his blog Cuban has stated that the SEC claims stem from a " gross abuse of prosectorial discretion" and " are infected by the misconduct of the staff of its enforcement division." Cuban is also quoted in his blog- "I am disappointed that the commission chose to bring this case based upon its enforcement staff's win-at-any-cost ambitions." "The staff's process was result-oriented, facts be damned. The government's claims are false and the will be proven to be so."

Currently the agency's suit seeks to impose unspecified fines and confiscate gains from the trade. This being a civil suit could turn to criminal. Cuban should tread lightly, the SEC doesn't just come after anybody, ask Martha Stewart.

If Cuban Complies with the SEC and pays the fines. How does this effect him and his attempts to by the Chicago Cubs? MLB baseball owners are already up in arms. They are just looking for a reason-any reason to not allow him to purchase the team. I think either way Cuban is in between a rock and a hard space. The purchase of the Cubs may be a pipe dream at this time or ever.

Sorry Mark but you should have practice what you preached. In 2006 he started a website http://www.sharesleuth.com/ aimed at exposing securities fraud and corporate misdoings.

Free agency in Major League Baseball

Ever wonder why Major League Baseball has the problems it has? I do every winter, when teams go out to fill there hole's through free agency. This winter is a perfect example of the money problems that plague baseball.

How does the Commissioners office expect other teams to be in the same ball park. When money being offered by the rich teams, could be as much as 15-25% of the value of there entire franchise. How can the have nots expect to be competitive with the haves when they can't match the money?

This winters big free agent is C.C. Sabathia, no question or argument, one of the great lefties in the league. The Brewers make a great offer of $100 mil for 5 years. This is out of the stratoshpere of an offer for a club in a small market. Then we have the New York Yankees, a team that lives in the stratoshpere, comes in a makes an offer of $140 mil over 6 years. WOW! This more than the Mets paid for Santana last year. How about the Yankees blowing any other offer out of the water. The Yankees just eliminated all but 5 or 6 teams from making an offer on him.

Now I'd like to say that the way the system is set up I have no problem with how these teams operate. How do the small market teams compete? I know there are some competitive ones, but will really win a title or play at a high level year in and year out.

I would just like to remind the Yankees of a great player with a huge contract. Alex Rodriquez, what has it got you? Thank you to the Texas Rangers for trying to compete at a level that they have never been at.