August 4th, 2015
Ok, so Monday Morning Coffee became Tuesday Morning Coffee this week. I needed an extra day to rationalize my disappointment in the Dodgers. I can’t accuse the franchise for being cheap. I can’t accuse them for trying to develop their farm system. I can’t even accuse them of not trying to build sustainable success. However, what I can accuse them of is not taking advantage of their window of opportunity to win a World Series. They failed to do that at the trade deadline when they had the opportunity to get Cole Hamels, David Price, or even Johnny Cueto. Instead, we were left with a handful of underwhelming moves that you baseball nerds, who are super into analytics described as “cagey”. Nobody cares if you are good for 20 years, but can’t win a World Series in that time. The Dodgers have been a player or two away from it forever. Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke won’t be here and performing well for an infinite period of time. Why spend money getting rid of players and taking chances on a ton of prospects instead of spending that money on star talent while you have fewer but more quality prospects developing? Grabbing another ace would have put them over the top, but they failed to capitalize. They did sweep the Angels over the weekend, but that’s a small consolation. It was fun while it lasted, but I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Dodgers for participating in the 2015 MLB season, because it’s virtually over now.
Meanwhile, the Angels are suddenly sinking like the Titanic. After a brief stay in 1st place, the Astros swung a few deals at the trade deadline, and now have a 4 game lead on the Angels in the AL West. The Halos badly needed a bat, but settled for some mediocre outfielders in Shane Victorino, David Murphy, and David DeJesus. Bill Stoneman should have been more aggressive going after the likes of Yoenis Cespedes, Jay Bruce, or even Justin Upton. Even though the Angels roster is better than the rest of the division, the turmoil has been non-stop. The latest issue came from CJ Wilson, who most fans would prefer if he and his contract were ejected from the universe. Wilson has struggled on the mound, and now is claiming he will shut down his season to have elbow surgery. Reports are however, that his teammates are angry with him, and think he can play through the pain. Sounds to me like CJ is really getting backlash for a number of things. It’s either that he publicly supported that bum Josh Hamilton, that he takes artsy photos, or that he seems more focused on his car dealership. In any case, sounds like there’s a good chance CJ won’t be with the Angels next season.
Elsewhere around the MLB trade deadline, David Price was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays, which will allow him to unique opportunity of being able to miss the playoffs in another country. The Mets’ Wilmer Flores was caught on camera crying during a game when he heard the rumor that he had been traded. That rumor ended up not being true. It’s hard not to cry when you realize that you can’t escape from the Mets. Speaking of the Mets, they acquired Yoenis Cespedes from the Tigers. I guess Billy Beane must have known something when he traded him from Oakland 2 years and 47 trades ago.
On to the Olympics, where I would like to thank the city of Boston for pulling out the running for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. This was a mistake from the start, awarding the games to a city that had little to no desire to have them, and had no financial plan in place for them. Meanwhile, Los Angeles is a city that is perfect for them, and far more economically viable than any other city in the running. We could be ready for the Olympics in the next 5 minutes if it were necessary. The existing venues and infrastructure are that good, and they will be even better in 2024 if and when a privately financed NFL stadium is built. However, I still have no idea why the IOC continues to award the Olympics to countries that simply have no business hosting the games, like Brazil. It was revealed last week that many of the bodies of water that the athletes will compete in are contaminated with dangerously high levels of viruses and bacteria, and that there is no way they can fix this problem by the time the games start next summer. The athletes who spend much of their lives training for this moment should not have to make the decision of whether or not to compete, but many of them probably still will. I’d like to see many of the IOC committee members get into that water before any of the athletes do if they think it isn’t a problem.
Byron Scott says that Kobe Bryant will likely see some time at the Power Forward position this season. Say what? Will this also be complementing Roy Hibbert when he is running the point? Congrats so Sasha Vujacic on returning to the NBA, after signing a one year deal. The former Laker and “That Machine”, as they call him, once dunked on Lamar Odom in practice, and trust me folks, Phil Jackson had to shut the practice down and send everyone home. How on earth is Josh Smith going to feed his family on the measly $6.9 million he is scheduled to make this season from the Clippers and Pistons? Everybody should text “Smoove” to 12345 to donate $5 so his family won’t have to suffer.
We’re getting closer and closer to football season folks. That means we are 6 weeks away from Tom Brady’s appeal of his appeal of his appeal of his suspension; Russell Wilson being unhappy about being paid $22 million per season; Browns fans looking forward to the NBA season after being 0-1; the Raiders winning…….the coin toss and then losing the game 41-6; Trent Richardson finishing with a career high 17 yards on 11 carries for his new team; and Chip Kelly trading DeMarco Murray for a bag of chips after a week 1 loss. Speaking of Tom Brady, his 38th birthday just past, and Jock Talk LA was able to get a copy of his birthday wish list:
Finally, Ronda Rousey is unbelievable. I’m not even an MMA fan, but her dominance is astounding. Her fight against Bethe Corriea over the weekend was like watching a sledgehammer vs an ant. Rousey finished her so fast, I felt like she could have won 12 more fights that night. As for Corriea, she should be invited to play a walker on the upcoming season of The Walking Dead, since that’s about all that’s left of her. Honestly, my only intrigue of watching Rousey at this point would be to start putting her up against men and see how long they can last in the Octagon against her. I don’t think many would do well against her….