FALLACY VERSUS REALITY by ST

I was quite interested in the revelation that now retired tennis star Andre Agassi has copped to using meth while he was an active player back in 1997. This is not about judgement but about how people take information and tweak it to their needs. Kind of like the basis for right wing radio, but I digress. The apoligists for the modern day cheaters like Barry Bonds, Manny Ramirez or Roger Clemens always throw up garbage excuses like "guys in the past used uppers". Anyone who has taken the time to see what medical experts have to say understands what crap that is. Greenies and the like, or even coked out madmen like Lawrence Taylor were able to get through a game but it didn't enhance their overall performance like Human Growth Hormone and the other products being created at labs like BALCO. Agassi didn't win majors and accumulate a quality resume because he used meth. The juicers of this era were able to heal up, build endurance and create a physical being which allowed them to work out at a higher level, and become stronger and faster overall. Popping a speed pill to get you running around for a game isn't even in the same stratosphere.
I've been reading lot's of articles about the upcoming World Series online. We know that once you get to the bottom of these pieces you run into fan postings. I'm again reading about how the Yankees try to 'buy' championships. This is such a crock it's getting funny. Get one thing straight, the Steinbrenner family is not even among the most wealthy owners in the game. David Glass is part of the Kansas City Royal's ownership group and he has Walmart money. Carl Pohlad of the Twins would shoot himself if he ONLY had Steinbrenner money. For years the Chicago Tribune owned the Cubs, Ted Turner the Braves. Any of these compainies or groups could have spent dollar for dollar with New York but decided not to. Certainly with their local cable deal and home attendance, the Yankees take in some extra cash, but don't be suckered in by the easy solutions no nothing imbeciles offer up. It's a lot more complex and you can't deny that the Yankee organization does all it can to put a winner on the field for their fans, as obnoxious as we can be! For the record, the wealthiest owners, according to Forbes magazine are Robert McLane of the Astros, Pohlad and Arturo of the Angels who does a great job with that franchise. Then of course you have the corporate ownership groups with equally deep pockets. If you want to hate the Yankees, I'm on board. The passion for or against teams makes sports great, just do it for the right reasons and ignore the mindless puppets and their clueless reasons. I think at the end of the day, New York has the very, very slight edge in this series with home field advantage and Mariano Rivera to close games. New York in a scintilating 7 games.
Okay, time to give away some loot. A nice new Oregon Duck hat, plus a $25 gift certificate to Jung's Mongolian grill in West Eugene.
The Cincinatti Reds were the last NL team to repeat as Series Champs. Who were the MVP's when the Big Red Machine beat the Red Sox in 1975, then swept the Yankees in 76? E-mail your response to stevetannen@live.com
We will have the drawing early today, at 4:45 as we step aside for our broadcast of game one of the 2009 World Series. Enjoy!