MANY ISSUES by Steve Tannen

Just finished listening to Andre Agassi on the Dan Patrick show. The ridiculous outcry for him to return his money and grand slam titles because he admitted to meth use is typical hysterics. Marat Safin and Martina Navratilova are condemning him. Look, only an idiot would give someone a total pass on abusing a dangerous drug like crystal meth that can lead to violent, criminal behavior. The fact remains is during his admitted use, he stunk. He fell from the rankings and it nearly cost him his career. Since, from about 1998 until his retirement, he was subject to testing and was clean. Meth certainly is not a performance "enhancing" drug. Agassi has been one of the more charitable, high profile athletes of this generation. People need to get over some of this.
Let's steal from another ESPN host, Brian Kenny. Late last week they were having a conversation about the MVP of the past 15 years, all sports included. I don't see those who named Tiger Woods. This really has to be about one of our major team sports. The names being kicked around are Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, maybe Jordan as his last 3 championships fell into that window, Kobe, Shaq, Jeter from baseball, and back to the NBA with Tim Duncan. The fact remains I have the real answer. We will share on today's show.
Speaking of, the AL announced their gold glove winners yesterday. Some have whined about Jeter winning, but I have news. This was pretty much his most deserved year. Led the league in fielding percentage by a shortstop and made the fewest errors. And let's face it, no one plays in more pressure games under a bigger microscope.
Let's give away some loot. To get in the drawing for a nice new Oregon hat and T-shirt, email your answer to stevetannen@live.com
How many Grand Slam events did Agassi actually win, and what is the breakdown as far as Australian, US, and French Opens, plus Wimbledon. Good luck!

THIS, THAT AND THE SCARY THING by ST

As I rise each morning to grab the paper, my thoughts are focused on what we'll discuss on Sportstalk later that day. Then I logged onto the internet and was struck by the frightening news that Kareem Abdul Jabbar had been diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia. Suddenly those defensive issues we saw from Oregon, or Greg Oden evolving into an NBA force, not so critical. I had an interesting run in with Jabbar when he was, I believe a sophomore at UCLA. The new Madison Square Garden had recently opened, so it was either 1968 or 1969 because my dad, a friend of his, my cousin and I were at Penn Station, located under the Garden and there was this 7 foot guy we recognized as Lew Alcindor. We went over to talk with him and he was a complete and total jackass. A member of his crew said we could get his autograph for...wait for it....wait for it....FIFTY BUCKS! I got over it and insist he's the greatest college hooper of all time. For years his aloof, impersonal nature over the course of his career was rumoured to have cost him coaching opportunities in the NBA. That said, you wouldn't wish this on anyone except for the most evil among us. Jabbar is going public to raise awareness about this disease which is usually diagnosed in people in the 60's and men more than women. You can learn more by visiting www.CMLearth.com
I did an interview with Bob Curran of ESPN 1420 radio in Honolulu this morning. He wanted to get the latest from Eugene on the Duck football team and the reinstatement of LeGarrette Blount. I found the host to be pretty well informed, and he offered up a rational, intelligent evaluation from his angle. He and I were on the same page that it actually revealed character on the part of Chip Kelly that he was able to re-evaluate the situation and offer Blount a chance to do some things to get back in the fold. Curran represented a total 180 from the drama queen hysterics we hear and read in the Portland media who've always had a bug up their butts about Oregon sports.
On today's program, a major recap of the weekend that was in the NFL, Pac 10 and national scene. We'll also hit on the MLB free agent list, plus college and pro hoops. Looking forward to your input.

STILL SO MUCH GOOD by Steve Tannen

I know Oregon fans are still a bit down after the defense was demolished by the Cardinal down in Palo Alto(now officially Stanford?). Since becoming my version of a grown up, really don't let my mood sway depending on what a bunch of strangers post on a far away scoreboard. I had a fun Saturday night at dinner with my wife, and I always enjoy NFL Sunday's. Plus, I was so in awe of the game plan Stanford executed, the football fan in me was full of appreciation. Jim Harbaugh is a heck of a football coach. He headed north from the University of San Diego after the Cardinal went 1 & 11 in the last year of the Walt Harris era in 2006. In 2007 they won 4 games, 5 last year and already have posted a 6 & 3 record to date in 2009. From USD Harbaugh took his offensive coordinator David Shaw and line coach Tom Drevno. Those guys came up with a magnificent game plan and the guys level of execution was tremendous. If you can't appreciate their performance, you're just a spoil sport and a miserable cry baby. Oregon wasn't making the BCS title game anyway, so now it's officially about beating the Arizona schools, winning the Civil War and earning the trip to the Rose Bowl.
On the plus side we had Navy beating Notre Dame for the 2nd time in 3 years following a 4-decade drought for the Middies versus the Fighting Irish. With 3 losses, the now laughably overrated Irish are out of the major bowl picture which is good news for Boise State and TCU. Hopefully those teams will run out and earn those big bowl bids.
To take the optimistic angle, turns out I was pleased with the UCLA win at home against Washington. All those Dawg knuckleheads who chirped a bit too loud after their fluke upset of USC become the 1st and only Pac 10 victim for the Bruins thus far in 2009. The fact they did it with their backup Kevin Craft took over for injured starter Kevin Prince. And once again we see what a joke it was too consider Huskie QB Jake Locker a top 5 NFL draft prospect. Guy remains a very inaccurate passer, albeit a great competitor and gritty performer. I don't see the NFL star many deluded UW fans and certain clueless national clowns do.
We'll get to the NFL on today's abbreviated version of SportsTalk as we're bringing you Monday Night Football early & it's a dandy with the Steelers and Broncos squaring off. How about the Packers? Get lit up as Brett Farve returns to Green Bay last week, then become the first team to lose to Tampa this year. Their offensive line is a wreck and QB Aaron Rodgers is about 50/50 to survive 2009 in one piece. How bout them Bengals? A Denver win this evening means they are the outright AFC North leaders at the half pole.
I know many could care less, but the Breeder's Cup was held over the weekend and the Classic, a 5 million dollar race featuring the nation's elite horses was won by Zenyatta. She's the filly, now mare who has been undefeated but taking out that class of boys on Saturday was amazing enough. The fact she broke last and looked like she might come up lame but roared from the back of the pack to storm home first was even more incredible. If you get a chance, you tube this race.

ORDER IS RESTORED by ST

I'm not saying the Yankees need to win every World Series for life as we know it to continue, I'm just saying it makes more sense than having the Red Sox win. I dedicate the 2009 championship to my dad who 1st took me to Yankee Stadium in 1966 to see the Bombers beat the Kansas City Athletics, yes, before they moved to Oakland. It's for true Yankees fans who will celebrate but not try to create some B.S "nation" and act like we actually had a roll beyond rooting on our favorite team. I don't want to see a bunch of NY gear around town worn by bandwagon jumpers who don't even know where the South Bronx is like we've had to deal with the past 5 years with phony Boston fans. For Derek Jeter, who was on base in each and every post season game and was in the middle of every rally last nite and picks up his 5th World Series championship ring. Hideki Matsui had the career defining evening with 6 ribby's. He joined the Yanks prior to the 2003 season, their last Series appearance and has been a class act and terrific producer, very much worthy of wearing the pinstripes. Gotta be happy for the newbies. C.C. Sabathia was a stud during these playoffs. From day one he's been all about earning that monster paycheck. Unlike the selfish, clueless, excuse making losers they gave big bucks to like Randy Johnson and Kevin Brown, he never sidestepped questions and acted like a stand up guy. After games he struggled Sabathia simply stated he needed to do his job better. Mark Texiera didn't hit all that well in the playoffs, but delivered some important rbi's and his defense at 1st base is unparalleled. For Mariano Rivera, the ultimate difference maker. Heading into games 6 & 7 with both pitching staffs a boarderline mess, you know there was Mr. Reliable at the back end to handle matters. Is he the greatest closer ever? He's certainly in the conversation and no one has been more money in the post season. And all around the game of baseball he's revered as the ultimate sportsman and gentleman.
So now we can focus our attention on football. The Ducks at Stanford Saturday is enormous. I don't buy into any 'letdown' talk. That's just plain stupid with a head coach like Chip Kelly. The Cardinal must eat the clock with sustained drives to keep the Oregon assault on the sidelines as much as possible. The Stanford defense is really vulnerable and if their offense struggles this thing is going to be 50-17. More on tomorrow's blog.
As for today, let's give away another Duck hat and $50 gift certificate to Cafe 440 out on Coburg Road. Last year the Phillies Cole Hamels won the MVP of both the NLCS & World Series. Before Hamels, who was the last man to accomplish that feat.
E-mail the correct answer to stevetannen@live.com
Yesterday's correct answer was 1962. Last time the Yankees had won a 7 game World Series. Congrats to Jay.

MIDWEEK THOUGHTS by ST

Blazers are off to a let's say, sluggish, start. After posting a dominating 34-7 mark at the Rose Garden, they've dropped 2 of their first 3 on the home court after Atlanta took em last night. I was really looking forward to seeing Greg Oden play this year. Lot of off-season chat about his being in such great condition, fully healed from that knee micro-fracture that cost him his rookie year. You can over-analyze anything but his productivity will not improve until he can avoid foul trouble. Had 5 in only 16 minutes and has had 5 in every game but one when he was whistled 4 times. I think it's a matter of maturity and discipline because he's committing too many infractions well away from the basket. You want your big fella to be intimidating, but holding a non-perimeter threat 15-18 feet from the hoop is a dumb foul. Look, the season is 5 games in and remember, he's just 21 but it's certainly something to keep on your radar.
Game 6 from the Bronx tonight and I'm astounded by the national media who somehow feel the pressure is on New York to win. Really? They lose and get a game 7, Philly loses and the season is over. Let's not forget, the Yanks have scored 6, 7 & 8 runs off the Phils pitching the past 3 games. The Phillie's stud starter Cliff Lee was not sharp on 3 days rest Monday and none of the others have shown the ability to shut down a good lineup. Certainly New York throwing Andy Pettite tonight on 3 days rest is far from a lock, but at home, under pressure, he's been there many, many times before. The Philly starter, Pedro Martinez, has struggled on the road all season. New York also beat him earlier in the series blasting 2 homers. Let's face it, there is only one pitcher on either roster you feel comfortable with at this point and it's Yankee's closer Mariano Rivera. Both teams have a ton of pressure on them. It's the freaking World Series for crying out loud, but the Yanks remain in the driver's seat. For now.
Okay, for a new Duck hat plus a $50 gift certificate to Cafe 440 on Coburg Road.
The brought us lunch the other day. The stuff is great. Email the correct answer to stevetannen@live.com
When was the last time the Yankees "won" a 7 game World Series. Good Luck.

THE FORMULA by Steve Tannen

There was a 1980 movie called "The Formula" starring George C Scott. The gist was a way existed to eliminate the need for oil. In 2009, Oregon fans are only interested in a method to get their team into the BCS title game. Obviously it all begins with the premise this group can avoid a letdown or terrible performance and win out. Let's start at the top and deal with the 7 teams ahead of the Ducks in the BCS standings and understand they must pass 6. In the SEC, Florida at one and Alabama at two can run the table but eventually would have to square off for their championship shot with the other perhaps accepting an at large for another major bowl. The Gators have a visit to play at South Carolina a week from Saturday. The Gamecocks play much better at home and derailed then #4 Mississippi back in September but the offense has looked awful the past 3 weeks in losses at Alabama & Tennessee with a close home victory against a poor Vandy team. Florida also finishes against Florida State, but it's home in the Swamp and the Noles only a .500 team. Alabama faces LSU on Saturday and the oddsmakers say Tide by 9 but this is not a done deal with Bama's passing problems. Alabama also faces the traditional regular season ender with Auburn in the Iron Bowl. The Tigers have some firepower and nice wins versus Ole Miss and West Virginia. In a perfect world Alabama or Florida would get upset and the other would win the SEC title game knocking both from the Big championship game. I can't imagine Texas isn't a lock to play for the BCS title. They have pushovers against Central Florida and Baylor until a home tilt with fraudulent Kansas who was ranked until the real part of their schedule appeared and they fell apart. Maybe, maybe the trip to College Station for Texas A & M is dangerous. This might be the most heated rivalry and Kyle Field can be intimidating. Unfortunately the Aggies had a recent 3 game stretch where they allowed 145 points. Lock the Longhorns into the Big 12 title game and pretty much the BCS championship game as well. Now we come to the unbeatens. Iowa at number 4 faces the daunting task of keeping their dream alive at Ohio State a week from Saturday. The Hawkeyes have tapdanced in the minefield all year nearly losing to Northern Iowa for the first time since the 1890's. Last week they were in danger of falling behind terrible Indiana at home 28-7 until a fluke deflection led to a 90 yard return to make it 21-14 midway through the 3rd period. They beat the Red Wolves of Arkansas State by 3 and needed a TD on the last play of the game to take down a very mediocre Michigan State team 15-13. They're the most vulnerable of the top teams right now. Big East Beast Cincinatti has survived without stud QB Tony Pike and will likely have him back for their key game against a dangerous West Virginia team a week from Friday. After that, a trip to Pitt lurks to end the regular season. The Panthers are unbeaten in conference and have a very real shot at taking down the Bearcats. TCU's shot at perfection comes down to their battle with Utah at Fort Worth, also a week from Saturday. The Horned Frogs really opened some eyes when they tore apart BYU and stuffed Max Hall & that Cougar offense. As we speak the lone Utah loss was here in the rain to Oregon. They're an excellent football team. They don't overwhelm, they just do enough to win. They may also have a quarterback controversy, but with a great defense, the Utes could win this game. Last, but far from least is Boise State. They nearly stumbled at Tulsa but have responded with back to back massacres by a combined total of 99-16 albeit against garbage teams like Hawaii and San Jose State. Their 2 toughest remaining games are home against Idaho and Nevada. Forget the Vandals as they got torched for 70 by Nevada so let's focus on the Wolfpack. We'll learn more about the Wolfpack when they play Fresno State a week from Saturday. They look sharp and win that game handily, I'll give them a punchers chance in the season ender at Boise State. Until then, Oregon fans need to forget all this craziness and figure on a trip to Pasedena for a Rose Bowl match-up, just their 2nd appearance in the Grandaddy since 1958, nothing to shake a stick at.
Okay, here's the trivia. Once upon a time, TCU was considered a big time football program and regularly played in the Cotton Bowl. When was the last time the Horned Frogs played in the Cotton Bowl, who did they play and what was unique about the final score. This is for a Duck T-Shirt, Duck hat and a $25 gift certificate to Billy Mac's Bar & Grill in Eugene. E-mail the correct answer to get in the drawing to be held at 5:40 today(Tue). stevetannen@live.com

IT LITERALLY DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER by ST

As a rule every fan of every team experiences the misery of a cold streak or a blowout. Fact is, those who support USC football hadn't gone through that for more than a decade. The last time the Trojans had experieced a waxing like this was in 1997. Look it up. All the current powerhouses, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Ohio State, every single one, has watched their boys get it handed to them within the last 5 years. What we saw Saturday night at Autzen was historic in a great way for Oregon fans. With Oregon State moving the ball at will the week before, there was a sense the Ducks would put up points, but some hesitation as to whether this unique defense could limit the damage Southern Cal would do. The key for the Ducks was never giving up the lead and forcing SC to play from behind, something they're unfamiliar with. Oregon forced the boys from Troy into unchartered waters and they were unable to navigate through. It reminds me of the head coach of the USA hockey team when they made their Miracle On Ice run past the USSR back in 1980. Herb Brooks felt it was important to push the Soviet machine, and keep it close because they were so used to having their way with any and everyone. As the game moved into the final few minutes with the American's ahead 4-3, the Red Army coach Victor Tikhonov forgot the basics of hockey. In the final minute, he didn't pull his goaltender for an extra attacker because he'd never been in that position before. Interesting food for thought. Now it's onto Stanford and the Cardinal grade out exceptionally well in many areas, but defensively they haven't stopped anyone good. Both the Beavers and Arizona lit them up and neither of those teams has anything resembling the Duck firepower. It's a road game against a pretty good opponent, but barring turnovers or injuries, Oregon will put up points and lot's of them.
As for the World Series, the Phillies Brad Lidge picked a bad time to revert back to his horrible 2009 regular season. Lost his concentration, and a 9 pitch battle to Johnny Damon who then stole 2nd & 3rd base on the same play. Lidge then plunked Mark Texiera who has been just flat awful at the plate. Up comes Alex Rodriguez who broke out of his slump Saturday, then got a fat fastball which he didn't miss. Up one run the odds were against the current champs with Mariano Rivera, after Jorge Posada's 2 run knock, it was all over but the shouting. That said, I think this thing goes back to the South Bronx for game 6 because Cliff Lee has been overwhelming and should extend the series for the Phils. Enjoy!