Off The Top of My Head - Jason - June 7, 2007

A sampling that is perhaps the most "blog-like" of any of our articles, "Off The Top of My Head" is a series of opinion pieces wherein the writers at STH take an opportunity to discuss their take on sports, work, politics, religion, or simply just life as we know it. Use these columns as an opportunity to get to know us. Use them as an opportunity to bash us. One thing you can't use them for is toilet paper...unless you print them out...and that's just sad.

Barry and the Bonds-Haters:

This is a topic that I've visited before, but it's one that's worth re-hashing. I had an opportunity to take in a Giants/Phillies game last weekend with a fellow TalkingHead. Bonds was penciled in as a starter. If I'm finger counting correctly, this is the fourth time I've seen Bonds play - all since the HR outburst started in the early 2000's. It was interesting to note that despite the hatred that 90% of Americans continually spew towards Barry, he undoubtedly has that "it" factor that few other athletes (and even people) possess. In the face of the fans' undying "hatred" for Bonds, camera flashes were popping and the entire ballpark was standing every time he came to the plate. Sure - people booed - but they didn't leave. They can say they were voicing their displeasure - that they were relishing the opportunity to razz him. Seems like alot of effort for a guy you have no interest in watching play.

Oh yeah - the game was sold out.

Iran and the Nukes:

With the news that the 8 G's are meeting in Europe again came more tough talk from the Bush Administration on Iran. The debate about Iran's nuclear energy/weapons capabilities has raged for years, and with each claim out of Tehran that Iran's nuclear science is not quite where they want it to be, there are looks of concern and fear painted firmly on the faces of various world leaders. My question, and my obvious ignorance, on this topic is as follows:

Why aren't they allowed to have nukes?

Seriously. From what I can tell they haven't signed a treaty. Last time I checked, we still have a ton of nukes. I understand that Iranian nuclear weapons can invoke thoughts of danger and fright, but does that fear really engender us with the right to tell a sovereign nation what it can and cannot do? Any wisdom on the topic would be appreciated.

Billy and the Magic:

Absolutely had to touch on this one. The sporting world has been on fire the last few days regarding Billy Donovan's decision to leave Florida for the NBA's Magic (the team, not the former player). Shockingly, the news of Donovan's departure from Florida was followed by news of an even more unexpected event - his return.
In the days that have followed Donovan's decis...er...indecision, members of the national sports media have been lambasting him for "going back on his word," "backing out on a contract," and generally being a wussy girly man. Call me what you will (like a wussy girly man), but I'm not really offended by Donovan's wavering. Despite the manly maxims about sticktuitiveness, keeping your word, etc., I think it is refreshing for a prominent name in sports to confess when he made a mistake, and work to correct that wrong before it is too late. Honestly - how many of us have been in Donovan's situation and simply went through with the option we didn't really want because we thought it was too late to turn back. Isn't it better to make the decision that is right for your? Don't you want to have that opportunity? I say we should cut the guy a break.

Hate-Rod and the Unwritten Rules of Baseball:

Speaking of universally hated girly men - is this guy on a mission to become unlikeable? Somewhere along the progression of his slap fight with Varitek, his slapping the ball out of Arroyo's glove, his ridiculous contract, and his constant obsession with making stupid comments to reporters, Alex Rodriguez went from being the next Ken Griffey Jr. to being one of the most hated players in the game. Not surprisingly, the public wasn't itching to jump to his support during this most recent "I've got it" gaffe. While I try not to jump to conclusions, I must admit it is disheartening that it is Rodriguez, not the aforementioned Griffey, who will have a legitimate shot at breaking what will soon be Big Barry's career HR record. Speaking of steroids - A-Rod is certainly looking alot bigger these days than he was when he played in Seattle...

Sheffield's Foot and His Mouth:

In an interview that was surprisingly under-reported, Gary Sheffield recently pontificated on race theory according to Gary - the results were interesting...to say the least. It's hard to decide which is more surprising - that Sheffield still has stupid things left to say or that he's always surprised when his comments are "misinterpreted." Perhaps CNN could slide him in as one of the 42 candidates in the Republican or Democratic debates they have been televising - talk about your automatic sound bites...


That's it for today folks - feel free to add. Let us know what's on your mind...