Boston Is The Sports City Of The 2000s, I Can Live With That. But Dallas? The 90s. Eh.

Sometimes I wish BFeldt found time out of his busy schedule to write a post here once in a while, because he makes some great points via his Twitter account.  In today's tweet, @BFeldt questions ESPN's search skills in finding the sports city of this decade.

"Boston wins best sports decade because of hair? Give me a break ESPN, how hard did you look for that advantage"

Answer: They looked down the hall, waved at Peter Gammons and penned up something real quickly.

So, who deserves it?  Well, I'll leave the door for Mr. Feldt to return to TBDS and let him throw down his two cents.  I'm more bothered why Chicago didn't get the sports city of the 1990s.

The argument for champion Dallas?

The Cowboys captured three Super Bowls, the Stars took the Cup in 1999 and the Rangers even won three division titles. But the Mavs were mostly a bad joke.

The argument for Chicago?

I thought you'd never ask.

The six championships by the Chicago Bulls trump the city of Dallas' accomplishments all by themselves.  In the two seasons in which they didn't have the G.O.A.T. full-time, they still made the playoffs.  Let's add some individual numbers with Michael Jordan's five MVPs and countless points scored, rebounds grabbed, steals snatched and assists dished.

In 1993 the White Sox won the AL West and the Cubs won the Wild Card in 1998.  However, individual accomplishments drove fans (and media attention) to the ballpark.  Sammy Sosa hit 332 homers in the 1990s, including 66 in '98 to win the MVP and help save baseball.  Frank Thomas hit at least .305 in every year except one in the decade and hit 301 jacks in the decade.  If not for The Big Hurt and his efforts, there would not be a team on the South Side.  The Blackhawks made 8 playoff appearances in the 90s, including a Stanley Cup appearance.

The biggest joke of the decade in Chicago was the mismanagement of the Bears, who still found a way to make three playoff appearances in spite of the McCaskey family and Dave Wannstedt.

Apparently, the Cowboys, Lakers, Dodgers, Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots don't get enough coverage on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNNews, ESPNClassic or ESPN The Ocho.  I guess that's why they've launched a hyperlocal site for Boston and will do so for Dallas and Los Angeles before the year is up.

Cubs Interested In Shipping Zambrano? Here's Your Irresponsible Blogger-Turned-GM Post Of The Day!

The story of the day in Chicago baseball was the Cubs' 2-0 win against the Milwaukee Brewers.  The win would have meant something a year ago at this time as the Cubs and Brew Crew were duking it out for NL Central supremacy.  Right now, the Cubs' biggest battles are against themselves and mediocrity.

And now we bring you to the buried lead in the story brought to you by Chicago Tribune Cubs beat writer Paul Sullivan:

Now that Hendry is assured of returning in 2010, he'll have to decide which players to bring back. Dempster, who signed a four-year, $52 million deal last winter, is assured of returning. [Carlos] Zambrano, who signed a five-year, $91.5 million deal in August 2007, is not.

Despite the fact that Zambrano has a full no-trade clause, the Cubs plan on shopping him this off-season, sources said, believing he'll waive the clause to go to the right team, as Jake Peavy eventually did when the Padres consummated a deal this summer with the White Sox.

According to Cot's Baseball Contracts, Carlos Zambrano has $53.75 million coming his way from 2010-12, with a vesting option worth $19.25 million in 2014.

Let the record show that despite a mediocre season by Zambrano (8-6, 3.77 ERA), pitching has not been the Cubs' downfall.  The North Side staff ranks in the top-5 in strikeouts, ERA+, WHIP, H/9 and K/9.  But with a weak free agent market awaiting, now might be the best time to move Big Z.

But where?

When It Comes To Alex Rios & Milton Bradley, Steve Stone Can't Handle The Truth

For whatever reason, former Cubs and current White Sox TV analyst Steve Stone (via @BaseballStone) has made Milton Bradley his primary target for tweets.

Without a doubt, Bradley has been a disappointment in 2009.  One season after leading the American League in OBP (.436) and OPS (.999), Bradley struggled in the first half, and if not for posting a .280/.380/429/.809 second half line, it would be a totally lost season. Part of the disappointment lies in the weight of expectations put on Bradley by GM Jim Hendry, who billed Bradley as the power-hitting left-handed bat the Cubs have been missing since the dawn of time. (Note to Hendry: billing someone who has never hit more than 22 homers or driven in more than 77 runs is a mistake.  That's like promising a Cadillac and bringing in an Oldsmobile.)

Bradley has gotten his game together, posting a .280/.380/.429/.809 line since the All-Star break.  Maybe that is why Stone hasn't tweeted about Bradley since Sept. 2.  But where is the equal opportunity "truth" teller's tweets about Alex Rios.

Rios is an adequate defender, but since debuting with the White Sox on Aug. 12, he has posted a .140/.156/.215/.371 line.  No, that is not a typo.  And yes, that is a .371 OPS.  And while Stoney spent a good chunk of this season ripping the three-year, $30 million deal signed by Bradley, not a peep has been said about the White Sox's acquisition of the remaining five years and $59.7 million guaranteed remaining on the deal.

To be fair, something Stone is clearly not doing as the "truth" teller he claims to be, the baseball sage has not peeped about Rios since Aug. 26.  He's tweeted about Bradley three times since then.  Even once mentioning how the great Casey McGehee and rookie Gordon Beckham are out performing Bradley this season.  Yet Rios seems to be getting a free pass from Stoney.

Stone earned his stripes at the end of his Cubs tenure for saying what everyone else wanted to say but didn't have the guts to.  It was easy because the 2004 Cubs were one of the most unlikeable 89-win teams in the history of Chicago baseball.  But since departing after that season, Bob Brenly has done a better job of doing what Steve Stone does than Steve Stone.

Now that's what I call "truth."

Don't Fool Yourselves Denver, You Still Suck

Move over John Elway, Kyle Orton is coming through.

Orton's miraculous game-winning touchdown toss-tip-catch play, combined with Jay Cutler's struggles has got Broncos fans thinking about big things.  News flash to Denver, you scored 12 points against the Cincinnati Bengals.  In more breaking news, the Bengals suck, and if you're only getting 12 points against them, I'm not sure how you'll score against a real team.

There isn't a GM in any sport that wouldn't trade Orton and draft picks for Cutler.

So enjoy this week of triumph, Broncos fans.  You'll only get this feeling three more times this season.

Adrian Peterson Reminds Cleveland It Is The City Of Failure

The mistakes and failures of Cleveland's sports franchises are plentiful. 

Michael Jordan and John Elway started their respective Hall of Fame careers by breaking the hearts of every basketball and football fan in the city.  Whatever fandom survived those crushing blows eventually got theirs when Jose Mesa took the mound in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series. 

Whoever survived that massacre might have to pony up all the strength left in their soul and save it for July 2010 when LeBron James bolts for greener pastures.

The Browns began what will be another disappointing season with a blowout loss at the hands of Brett Favre Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings.  And to think, this all could have been avoided had the Browns drafted Peterson instead of offensive lineman Joe Thomas.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer got a hold of a former Browns staffer who explains everything:

"In my mind, it was a no-brainer,'' the personnel man said. "Adrian Peterson was the best running back in high school football, the best running back in college football and now he's the best running back in the NFL. He was Rookie of the Year and led the NFL in rushing last season. We had a chance to draft the best player in the NFL outside of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady and we blew it.''

Brady Quinn struggled against the Vikes, but do you think his troubles could have been eased with football's best running back lined up behind him.  Heck, Peterson's presence could be enough to inspire Braylon Edwards to catch some passes.  And had the Browns not dealt tight end Kellen Winslow, they would have the makings of a formidable offense.

Instead, Cleveland's football franchise is well on its way to securing another top-5 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.  Speaking of 2010, there's a certain Ohio native that happens to be a free agent that could save the franchise.

How Michael Jordan Could Revolutionize The NBA (Again)

 

Image via

Michael Jordan, the greatest player to ever lace 'em up in the NBA, had himself quite a Hall of Fame speech on Friday. Was he cocky?  Yeah.  But can you blame him?  He single-handedly kept Karl Malone, John Stockton, Reggie Miller, Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley and Gary Payton without a NBA championship ring.

For those of you keeping score at home, don't adjust your computer screen, Michael Jordan's presence in the league stopped six future Hall of Famers from winning championships. Guys like Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, David Robinson and Shaquille O'Neal didn't win championship rings until after Jordan retired.  In his career, Jordan broke more hearts of Cleveland sports fans than Art Modell.  Think about it.


Anyway, the guys over at my old stomping grounds put forth a rather interesting banter question.  Could Michael Jordan cut it in today's NBA?  My answer is a resounding yes.  But how?

Well, listening to my pitch would be a good start.

Alfonso Soriano's Knee Surgery Means One Thing

Brian Urlacher isn't the only Chicago athlete going under the knife.  Alfonso Soriano's knee surgery on Tuesday means that the guy who swiped 41 bags in 2006 for the Washington Nationals and turned that into an 8-year, $136 million deal with the Cubs should be on his way back.

Right?

Brian Urlacher's Wrist Is In Pain. Lots Of Pain.

Not that this is breaking news to me, but the Chicago Bears have more pressing issues than Jay Cutler's impersonation of Rex Grossman on Sunday night.

Cue the limp wrist jokes star middle linebacker Brian Urlacher looks like he will be out for the season.  That alone spells doom for a defense that has been inconsistent since being ridden to Super Bowl XLI.  The six-time Pro Bowler was a beacon of light for the defense and was reportedly as healthy as he's ever been.  Add the loss of linebacker Piso Tinoisamoa, it looks like Lance Briggs is the last man standing in the linebacker corps.

So, where do the Bears go from here?  The Sun-Times suggests former Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks, who was cut before the season started.  The former face of the Bucs 'Tampa 2' defense flourished under Lovie Smith and could be a quick fix.  The CST article also suggests Zach Thomas.

Quite an opening week for Chicago, huh?

And to think, I was ready to write a blog in hopes of freeing Plaxico Burress or finding Marvin Harrison.  But I guess the Bears have bigger fish to fry now.

Jay Cutler & The Voice Of Reason

If I put my hands over my ears, I can't hear the bad things you say about me.

If your initial reaction to Sunday night's loss was to find the receipt for your recently purchased Jay Cutler jersey and head to your local retailer for a refund, this blog is for you.

POLL: Bigger Disappointment: Jay Cutler Or Your Fantasy Team?

Alright, so Jay Cutler threw four interceptions in the Bears' opening night in Green Bay.  So, what?  Chicago still has 15 more games to go.  Plenty of time to make sure that Rex Grossman didn't show up to Lambeau Field wearing a white No. 6 jersey.

Cutler threw for 277 yards despite the four picks.  Don't get me wrong, the four picks won't fly when the Bears host the defending world champs next week, but imagine what he will be capable of when Detroit comes rolling into town in Week 4.

Then there's your fantasy team.  And by "your" fantasy team, I mean mine.

Marques Colston and Frank Gore were spared single-digit scoring games thanks to touchdown scores.  Willie Parker might as well have been running backward for the Steelers, and Brett Favre needs to find Vinsanthe Schiancoe for some touchdowns.  If it wasn't for Favre, no one would have even known Mark Chmura existed.  Well, except for his babysitter.  Then there was T.J.H.'s forgettable debut in Seattle.  Matt Hasselbeck throws three touchdowns (in a win) and you don't catch one of them?  That's what I call disappointment.

I really do not want to have to rely on Kevin Smith (not that guy), Vernon Davis, Felix Jones and Donald Driver to carry me to a fantasy championshp, so I'm hoping my fantasy (and reality) team get it together.  And fast.

Jay Cutler or Your Fantasy Team: Who Had The Worse Week?

• Cutler! He stunk.
• My fantasy team! They stunk.
• Luda's fantasy team! Luda's just a dumb drafter.

Created on Sep 14, 2009

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