The Baseball Column: Sammy Is No Frank
Robinson Vs. Sosa
POSTED: 8:44 am EDT August 2,
2005
UPDATED: 3:34 pm EDT August 2,
2005
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Rant One: Putting Sammy In His Place
Remember the 1988 vice presidential debate, when grizzled Texas Sen. Lloyd Bentsen told a fresh-faced Dan Quayle, "You're no Jack Kennedy?" That lone highlight of the Michael Dukakis campaign came rushing back into my memory when I heard that the suddenly-slim Sammy Sosa had tied the legendary Frank Robinson on the all- time hom run list. Robinson, probably the most underrated player in baseball history, won an MVP in both leagues, a World Series MVP, a Triple Crown and was just a hair shy of being the third member of the 600 home run (586) and 3,000 hit (2,943) club. Sammy's recent gaudy offensive totals meanwhile are as artificially inflated as his biceps were prior to 2005. Sammy, you're no Frank Robinson!Rant Two: The Swingin' A's
If you’re sick of the Red Sox patting themselves on the back, tired of the Braves choking, bored with the efficient Cardinals and nauseated by the Yankees, the Oakland A's may be your team. Led by no-names like Bobby Kielty, Mark Kotsay and Nick Swisher, the Athletics have overcome a slow start and jumped to the top of the Wild Card scramble once again. With Barry Zito and Rich Harden just hitting their stride, the Moneyball Men could be the team to beat in that race.Rant Three: Baseball’s Redheaded Step-Children
If the White Sox hang on in the AL Central (and they will), America should rally around the Southsiders like they did for the Red Sox last year. Their last title came in 1917, one year before Boston's "curse" supposedly began, and they are underdogs even in their own city. Tell me again, why the underachieving Cubs, who play on the snobby North side are so lovable? Nothing is more exciting than seeing history in the making, so when the postseason begins, I’ll be in front of my TV in the heart of Twins Territory pulling for the Palehose.
Remember the 1988 vice presidential debate, when grizzled Texas Sen. Lloyd Bentsen told a fresh-faced Dan Quayle, "You're no Jack Kennedy?" That lone highlight of the Michael Dukakis campaign came rushing back into my memory when I heard that the suddenly-slim Sammy Sosa had tied the legendary Frank Robinson on the all- time hom run list. Robinson, probably the most underrated player in baseball history, won an MVP in both leagues, a World Series MVP, a Triple Crown and was just a hair shy of being the third member of the 600 home run (586) and 3,000 hit (2,943) club. Sammy's recent gaudy offensive totals meanwhile are as artificially inflated as his biceps were prior to 2005. Sammy, you're no Frank Robinson!Rant Two: The Swingin' A's
If you’re sick of the Red Sox patting themselves on the back, tired of the Braves choking, bored with the efficient Cardinals and nauseated by the Yankees, the Oakland A's may be your team. Led by no-names like Bobby Kielty, Mark Kotsay and Nick Swisher, the Athletics have overcome a slow start and jumped to the top of the Wild Card scramble once again. With Barry Zito and Rich Harden just hitting their stride, the Moneyball Men could be the team to beat in that race.Rant Three: Baseball’s Redheaded Step-Children
If the White Sox hang on in the AL Central (and they will), America should rally around the Southsiders like they did for the Red Sox last year. Their last title came in 1917, one year before Boston's "curse" supposedly began, and they are underdogs even in their own city. Tell me again, why the underachieving Cubs, who play on the snobby North side are so lovable? Nothing is more exciting than seeing history in the making, so when the postseason begins, I’ll be in front of my TV in the heart of Twins Territory pulling for the Palehose.
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