BECAUSE I'M WORTH IT by Steve Tannen

So the conversation over cordials turned to a bit of anger from a buddy over the Dodgers pondering a 100 million dollar deal for ace lefty Clayton Kershaw.  The usual line of thinking about priorities, values and all that crap!  Yes, I said crap.  A professional sports franchise with a value in the neighborhood of a billion dollars isn't paying salaries it can not afford.  Here are some numbers for annual TV deals alone for the Big 3.  NFL:  3 billion annually from it's network partners through 2022.  NBA:  A mere 950 million.  MLB:  Last October signed an 8 year, 12.5 billion dollar deal.  You do the math.  This doesn't include dough from licensing, stadium deals, concessions, parking, local cable, ect.
So, in those sports, who would you guarantee 100 million dollars, starting the next season for 5 total years.  Last week we went with our Elite 8 of current jocks who would make the Ultimate Hall of Fame.  Let's keep that theory?  Again, call the show from 3-6pm on our Oregon Fuel Injection Hotline at 541 284 8542, text me now at 541 321 0824, tweet at me @sportstalk953 or email:  stevetannen@live.com
My suggestions based on the most recent numbers cranked out this season:  No wrong answers, it's your $$.
I'm leaving out anyone in the neighborhood of 30 and older for sanity sakes.

NFL:  Colin Kaepernick, Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, Cam Newton, AJ Green, DeMaryius Thomas, Dez Bryant, DeSean Jackson, TY Hilton, Calvin Johnson, Shady McCoy, Eddie Lacey, Kiko Alonso, Luke Kuechly, Navorro Bowman, Robert Quinn, Richard Sherman, Lavonte David

NBA:  Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Kevin Love, LeMarcus Aldridge, Damien Lillard, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, John Wall, James Harden, Dwight Howard, Anthony Davis, Steph Curry, Paul George, Blake Griffin

MLB:  Clay Kershaw,  Chris Sale, Jose Fernandez, Felix Hernandez, Steve Strassburg, Max Scherzer, Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, Buster Posey, Mike Trout, Miguel Cabrera, Paul Goldschmidt, Freddie Freeman, Andrew McCutchen, Troy Tulowitzki, Jon Lester

ULTIMATE HALL OF FAME by Steve Tannen

Yesterday's MLB Hall of Fame vote got me thinking about exactly who we are watching.  How many of the current performers will receive the ultimate honor in their sport.  Let's narrow it down.  I'll give you my list by sport.  No cheaters so don't look for Aroid or David Ortiz.  I'm also leaving off Mariano Rivera because he's retired and a lock.  My list is a guideline.  Of the dozens of athletes you find below, pick your Elite 8 for our fan Hall of Fame.  Send me your list via text 541 321 0824, Twitter @sportstalk953 call the show or email it to stevetannen@live.com

MLB:  Derek Jeter, Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols, Felix Hernandez, Justin Verlander, Ichiro Suzuki
NFL:  Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Adrian Peterson, Tony Gonzalez, Calvin Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Jered Allen, Charles Woodson, Champ Bailey, Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu
NBA:  Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Tim Duncan, Steve Nash, Kevin Garnett, Dwayne Wade
NHL:  Sid Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Martin Brodeur, Jaromir Jagr, Teemu Selanne
GOLF:  Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els
TENNIS:  Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic
OTHER:  Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Shaun White, Floyd Mayweather

Curious to see who you pick!

TEMPORARY INSANITY by ST

No question some Duck fans are still harboring resentment over the 2001 snub when Nebraska was sent to vie for the title against Miami in their rightful place.  The first BCS poll of 2013 would have ticked me off as well....if I were a Florida State fan.  No question they've compiled the most impressive resume as we speak.  I would never cast a ballot based on anything but the games that have been played this season.  Last year is meaningless.  Tradition has no value.  Who have you played and beaten thus far.  Alabama's best win had been Texas A & M but the Aggies just fell to Ole Miss.  Sure the Rebs just kayoed LSU but that only pushed their record to 4 & 3 overall and just 2 & 3 in the SEC.  Oregon's wins?  Please!  That national stage dismantling of the Huskies in Seattle has dwindled significantly in value with the Dawgs in the throes of a 3 game losing streak that included 2 blowouts.  The Duck opponents, outside of patsie Nicholls State have gone a combined 4 & 18 in their conference games.  Washington State has 2 Pac 12 wins, UW 1 and that Tennessee win over a decimated Georgia team was the Vols first in league.  Cal, Colorado and Virginia are zero for their conference.  Florida State tore up Clemson at Death Valley when the Tigers were #3 in the nation.  Certainly Maryland was overrated at 25 at the time but the Noles set a record for margin of victory over a ranked team with a 63-nothing thumping.  That said, it's meaningless.  If Oregon and Alabama win out, they will play for the final BCS Championship.  Consider the Nole lead in the standings over Oregon.  It would be like two students taking a test with 1000 questions.  FSU got 935 questions right with the Ducks correctly answering 932, but many exams remain.  Oregon has three teams left ranked in the BCS Top 25, while Florida State has one.  Duck fans, take a breath, they win out there is no issue!

COLT LYERLA FROM A FOOTBALL PERSPECTIVE by ST

Let's get this part over with.  Colt Lyerla is 20 and will turn 21 on November 13th.  He's a young guy.  Here's hoping he's okay mentally and physically.  It's a game.  Not as important as those two.  It's October 7th, the Ducks are ranked 2nd in the nation, very much in the race for all of it with 5 consecutive wipeouts and the biggest game of the season on the road in Seattle.  I don't buy any of the positive spin.  Amicable parting of the ways?  So all his mates and coaches are good with his quitting?  Okay, your call.  There is no possible way this enhances his NFL prospects.  Name a great player who left school at this juncture and the career path landed in Canton or Disney World after a Super Sunday performance.  Brady, AP, Peyton, Calvin Johnson, JJ Watt, or whoever if they were healthy, finished their collegiate career in a bowl game then got drafted.  Injuries are a different deal like the Rob Gronkowski case.  Missed his last year at Arizona with a bad back.  Colt is testing history which generally counter punches with tenacity. 
There seem to be 2 extreme schools of thought.  Ducks won't miss a beat with the fast emerging Johnny Mundt and the newly healed Pharoh Brown.  Maybe.  The fact remains Colt's mere presence in the offense equals accountability from the defense.  He's a crazy playmaker with mad skills.  He will be missed.  Other's think it's a distraction.  Not when the whistle blows.  Oregon's next man up has been drilled into everyone's head and it's not like Marcus Mariota will drop back to pass, look for #15 and take a bad sack or throw a pick. 
For 2013 in particular Lyerla has 2 catches and none since the Virgina game and has accounted for zero of the Ducks 41 touchdowns and 296 points.  Different deal if he'd been an offensive focal point, a go to guy for Mariota or Scott Frost to lean on.  He's obviously had half a foot out the door for weeks now.  What this all means exactly remains to be seen, but from a selfish football only point of view, I'm calling minimal ripple if anything at all now that his departure is etched in stone.

NO BENEFIT, ALL DOUBT AND YOU HAVE ZERO FIGURED OUT by ST

So Von Miller of the Denver Broncos becomes the latest high level jock to run afoul of his sports drug policy and rather than accept his punishment or admit what he did, we get the adamant denial.  It's the system, the collector, the test and I will fight this to clear my good name.  Then we find out he's another lying, cheating, greedy pinhead.  From Ryan Braun to Lance Armstrong and very soon, Alex Rodriguez these clowns get away with everything from the moment it's determined they're special at a given sport.  The world around them becomes a variation on "enabler".  While our American judicial system operates on innocent until proven guilty, that does not apply to athletes and PED's.  If they're in the news for a failed test or suspicion of using, they're probably guilty!
I love the NFL.  Giants can't win a game and they look awful.  Can't run.  Can't protect Eli Manning.  The 49ers have been exposed as somewhat fraudulent.  Their defense leaves much to be desired.  Chip Kelly and the Eagles went from redefining the game of pro football after 2 quarters to open the season against the Redskins to will this work?  The NFL is another world from college as far as talent, speed and adjustment.  Oregon fans know the pressure that warp speed offense puts on the defense.  It took time to tweak the recruiting and the ace capability of Nick Aliotti and his staff to work in concert with the offensive philosophy.  No lock it works at this level.  Miami has been a great story.  Some raised an eyebrow during the 2012 draft when the Fish jumped up to take Ryan Tannehill, the QB before Johnny Manziel at Texas A & M, with the 8th overall pick after Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III went one and two.  Ryan flashed as a rookie engineering wins over playoff teams, Seattle at home and the Bengals in Cincy.  This is year 2 under head coach Joe Philbin, a career offensive coach who was the coordinator in Green Bay from 2007 thru 2011.  Those were some high octane Pack attacks. 
I'd comment on some of the college action, but it seemed lopsided blowouts were the theme which we will cover on both Crunchtime and Sportstalk this afternoon.  Have a great week!

ALL TIME MLB FRANCHISE PLAYERS by ST & You!

I used me as the final vote if it was necessary.  But of the established franchises here is what you had to say!
While Ichiro received limited support, the greatest in Mariner history hands down was Griffey Jr.  The other locks were George Brett of the Royals, the Padres Tony Gwynn, Robin Yount of the Brewers and I pulled rank calling it for Tom Seaver of the Mets.  Here are the rest in no particular order.
BRAVES:  Hank Aaron with some support for the winningest lefty ever Warren Spahn, and a call or two for Greg Maddux
RED SOX:  Pretty tight but Ted Williams emerges over Cy Young and Carl Yastremski.  One Met's fan did cast a ballott for Buckner.  Meany!
ORIOLES:  This was a wow with Cal Ripken, Jim Palmer and Brooks Robinson.  Frank Robinson was too prominent with the Reds so I went Brooks by a nose over Cal and didn't sleep much last nighit.
ASTROS:  2 horse race, Jeff Bagwell & Craig Biggio.  I don't think Bagwell gets into the Hall.  Biggio will so he's my guy.
REDS:  I eliminate Rose via the D-bag rule and went with the greatest catcher in the games history, Johnny Bench.
PHILLIES:  It was all about the 1-2 punch of Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton.  With apologies to the Brooks Patrol, Schmidt is the greatest 3B ever thus my selection of Michael Jack Schmidt!
PIRATES:  Wow!  Clemente or Honus Wagner.  Some historians say Wagner in the conversation with Ruth, Cobb, ect as the greatest ever.  Love Roberto.  One of my faves, but had to go Wagner.
YANKEES:  Babe Ruth.  Why?  Because he's Babe Ruth.
INDIANS:  All old time guys like Nap Lajoie, Tris Speaker but the answer is Rapid Robert Feller.  Among the most dominant righties ever to toe the slab.  Love that cliche!
CUBS:  Thought about Cap Anson as the 1st ever to 3000 hits in MLB history.  Love Ryno, Fergie Jenkins, but there is only one Mr. Cub.  Here's to you Ernie Banks.  Let's play two!
ATHLETICS:  Though he played some prime years in NY, Rickey Henderson is in the running with XX Jimmie Foxx and Al Simmons.  Gotta go Simmons.  Drove in over 100 all 12 yrs with A's.  Batted .387, .392, .351, .365, .381 and .390.  "Bottomed" out at .322.
DODGERS:  One of the toughest calls of all.  Duke Snyder, Jackie Robinson, Yasiel Puig.  I'm going Sandy Koufax.  No pitcher remotely approached his 6 yr run starting in 1961 the past 70 years.  Regular season and World Series dominance.
ANGELS:  Nolan Ryan though this could change in 16 years with Mike Trout.
WHITE SOX:  Big Ed Walsh is among the least known, dominant pitchers ever with a career ERA of 1.82 but the answer is the Big Hurt, Frank Thomas.  Apologies to the Luis Aparicio fans.
CARDINALS:  Painful to eliminate Bob Gibson, Stan Musial or Rogers Hornsby.  Three words.  Stan the Man.
GIANTS:  Down to the trifecta of Christy Mathewson, Mel Ott and Willie Mays though I seriously considered Tito Fuentes.  Say Hey by a nose.
SENATORS/TWINS:  The always classy late great Harmon Killebrew, Kirby Puckett and Walter Johnson.  You can make a case The Big Train is the greatest righty of all time.  Walter Johnson.
TIGERS:  Came down to the man they call "Six" Al Kaline, Hank Greenburg, Charlie Gheringer and the winner despite some personal "shortcomings", Tyrus Raymond Cobb.
Reply here, call the show, text your thoughts to 541 321 0824 or email stevetannen@live.com

NOT SURE I CAN DO IT by ST

I can't pinpoint the exact game but it was during the 1966 season, I'm five years old when my dad took me to my first game at Yankee Stadium.  Mantle was in the lineup.  He was born in 1935 as a Yankees fan and even though he busted my dad's chops, his dad, my grandpa was a Yankees fan.  I'm next in line.  Got my driver's license on Tuesday October 4th, 1977.  17th birthday.  Drove to Yankee Stadium for Game One of the World Series versus the Dodgers one week later, a 4-3, 12 inning victory.  I'm invested in this franchise like many of our listeners are in the Ducks.  Childhood team.  It's personal.  I did not watch last night's game against the White Sox.   I can not bring myself to cheer on the team with a slime ball like Alex Rodriguez staining my beloved pinstripes.  So he gets a big hit and I'm high fiving?  I don't think so.  I get that we've seen many, many unseemly characters in the sports we follow but this guy is garbage!  He's delusional.  He doesn't have the character or the balls to simply admit what everyone knows.  When asked point blank about his documented PED's use last night he played the "not the forum" card.  Really?  Innocent people scream it from the mountain tops.  Lying scumbags use their lawyers and double speak to avoid the facts of the issue.  Save the "everyone" did/does it crap.  There are a bunch of players coming out vocally against these Biogenesis pigs.  They want more severe penalties, perhaps even a lifetime banishment for getting caught that first time.  The union leadership will be more defensive when it comes to their members, so the real change must come from within.  Keep your eye on that because it represents a change in mentality.  They no longer circle the wagons in these situation, some are pointing the finger of accusation and I think that is a cause for hope.  As for my fanaticism for those guys in the Bronx, it's on hold.  The new question?  Has Alex Rodriguez ever played a season in the major league's clean?

ALL OF THE ABOVE by ST

Ryan Braun, Alex Rodriguez, Pete Rose.  All in the news this week.  Braun and Arod for more evidence they're cheaters.  Rose because it's Hall of Fame week and dummy always shows up in Cooperstown cause he's a desperate, pathetic clueless clown.  The conversation about what is worse using PED's or betting on baseball is for morons.  Why differentiate?  They both spit in the face of fans, the game and clean players.  Rose was interviewed on Dan Patrick and said it's important to admit the mistake.  So so happy I was stopped at a light or I might have crashed.  This from a guy who in 1989 was investigated via something called the Dowd Report.  The pile of evidence was so overwhelming he and his legal eagles decided to accept a lifetime ban rather than have this material presented to authorities outside baseball.  It included the possibility he was involved in distributing steroids, maybe cocaine and he definitely was hiding cash earnings from Uncle Sam.  He actually claimed he was unaware a lifetime ban was part of the deal.  That's exactly like Barry Bonds saying he didn't know the "clear" and "creme" his BALCO buddy was applying was illegal.  What a crock.  From 1989 through early 2004 he insisted he never bet on baseball.  Then it was time for the release of his book and suddenly it's "well I bet on baseball".  15 years and suddenly he comes clean because he heard dollar signs.  I'll go one further having dealt with bookies and degenerate gamblers for a period from about high school until I was in my early 30's, so up until about 20 years ago. If you think a losing gambler like Rose didn't bet AGAINST the Reds when he was in a hole you are a gullible moron!  Look, Aaron Hernandez, Rae Carruth, Michael Vick or OJ Simpson are the scum of the earth.  You want to ask what's worse?  There is the line.  Those trying to split hairs over liars and cheaters are wasting our time.  I put them under one slimy umbrella!

ONCE POWERFUL ESPN by ST

Read an article about the declining ratings at ESPN.  This is not surprising.  When I arrived at The Score in May of 2008, we were an ESPN affiliate but one of my first segments was about including a "G" in ESPN for gossip.  I felt the former worldwide leader had lost it's way.  Once upon a time it was the sole destination for highlights and insight into the games and athletes we follow.  Then along came the individual special networks like MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL & the Golf networks.  Of course you had the majors like CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox as players.  It seems to me that when ESPN was seriously challenged, rather than hunker down and upgrade the quality of their product, they deteriorated into a TMZ, sensationalistic style.  Then you have the repetition insanity.  Believe it or not it's been 8 years since they were showing video of Terrell Owens doing belly busters in his driveway as he held out from the Eagles.  It then morphed into Brett Farve's version of "should he stay or should he go" and bottomed out with their Tebow coverage. 
As far as the faces of the network I think Chris Berman has become somewhat of a caricature.  Once a source of unbridled humor and a unique approach, it's gotten a tad painful to watch.  When you roll out Skip Bayless on a daily basis you're credibility is going to take a hit and there is no way around it.  I'd love to hit him with a shot of sodium pentothal because there is no way he actually believes some of the opinion he expresses.  I think the devils advocate, disagree for the sake of offering another side that holds no water is a huge reason they're in trouble.  Everything is not debatable.  There are not 2 sides to every story.  I still love ESPN and will always be grateful for really bringing it all into our living rooms every day and night through all of the sports seasons.  The bottom line is like a family member you care about you hold them to a solid standard and when it begins to slip you criticize in the hopes it will provide a wake up call.  Look forward to your thoughts on this when we sign on at 3pm for Crunchtime and roll into SportsTalk.

THE ONLY CORRECT ALL STAR BALLOT by ST

When it comes to rankings, Hall of Fame, we all believe we are right.  I know I do.  So here is the lone accurate ballot with fan choice noted.

American League:
Begin with Chris Davis of Baltimore at 1st and Miggy Cabrera at 3rd.  Both fan choices.  Fans went Robbie Cano at 2nd over Dustin Pedroia.  Wow is this close.  Equal with the glove.  Gonna go Cano because he HAD to come up big with all those injuries.  Dusty is one of many Bosox raking.  Lot more cover.  I'd go Jonny Peralta of the Tigers in a tight one over the fan pick JJ Hardy of the Orioles.  Better average, close in ribby's, more hits and runs.  Joe Mauer is a no brainer at catcher.  Now healthy he's reclaimed his spot among the games elite.  The fans chose Adam Jones of Baltimore, Jose Batista of the Jays and Mike Trout of the Halos.  I pull Batista in favor of Jacoby Ellsbury.  Felix Hernandez starts.
National League:
Molina catches.  Honorable mention to Buster in Frisco.  Fans picked an outfield of Carlos Beltran of the Cards, Carlos Gonzalez of the Rockies and Bryce Harper of the Nats.  Harper has missed too much time injured.  He's out.  In his place is the guy who robbed the Reds last night, Carlos Gomez.  The best glove in center.  Slight edge over the Pirates McCutcheon.  Joey Votto will start.  Not on my team.  Touch and go but I'm putting the Cardinals Alan Craig in his place.  69 ribbies to 40 edge.  Would not engage in a heated debate over this as Votto is a stud.  The fans blew it at 2nd with Brandon Phillips.  Matt Carpenter is the easy lock pick hitting .316, second in the majors in runs scored.  While Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies is tremendous, he's injured, rehabbing and missing at least a month.  Jean Segura of the Brewers is the answer.  Came over in the trade for Zach Greinke.  Leading the NL in hits, 2nd in assists at that critical SS position.  David Wright of the Mets at 3rd was EZ.  I start Clay Kershaw of LA.

NO LONGER NEEDED?  BY ST

I was filling out my MLB All Star game ballot online.  Began with Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers.  Then it hit me.  Why?  It might be a generational thing but before we had unlimited access and could see every player's every move it was a pleasure to get a rare glimpse of Clemente or Brooks Robinson in action.  Now it just seems forced.  I understand that the host city can generate some revenue and dough might be raised for a worthy cause, but can't that happen without this ridiculous exhibition.  If I'm a fan of a team do I want our 15 million dollar ace out there or home resting for the 2nd half pennant chase?  This can carry over to the NBA or NHL.  The NFL's Pro Bowl has become a knee slapper of a joke.  Is it time for a historical tweak?
I have been interested to get fans angle on their All Time Fantasy Team.  Let me know your age group and who makes the cut.  Add in a starting pitcher and a closer.
Mine:
1b-Lou Gehrig
2b-Joe Morgan
SS-Robin Yount
3b-Michael Jack Schmidt
C-Johnny Bench
OF:  Ruth, Ted Williams and Willie Mays
SP:  Bob Gibson
CL:  Mariano Rivera

AS GOOD AS IT GETS by Steve Tannen

Think about the last decade following sports.  Pro or college.  Franchise or program.  Name your Top 5 as far as well run, good reputation & successful.  Who pops?  Alabama football.  Duke hoops.  Yankees?  Spurs?  Lakers?  Red Wings?  NY Giants?  Patriots?  I'll throw in the St. Louis Cardinals.  They currently lead the NL Central with the best record in baseball.  After winning the 2011 World Series their long time manager Tony LaRussa retired and they lost bopper Albert Pujols to free agency.  Guided by 1st year skipper Mike Matheny they made Game 7 of the NL Championship series.  While making his bones with the Bash Brother A's, LaRussa made a major impact on the game with his bullpen use.  Then it was get 7 from your starter, lean on Rick Hunnycut in the 8th and Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersly to close the door.  With the Cards it was about volume.  Lot of quality arms.  That tradition continues.  Remember the name Trevor Rosenthal.  He throws about 100 mph and has a freaky good slider.  Edward Mujica is the closer.  Had some decent seasons with the Marlins and Padres in relative obscuring, but never held this role until this year and he's been terrific.  Their top pick in the 2009 draft Shelby Miller was a late season call up last year and flashed some serious stuff.  Now his 1st season in the rotation he's 7 & 1 with an NL best 1.91 era.  Incredible control works well with his more than a strikeout an inning mastery.  Then you have the elite Adam Wainright who never gets enough credit for how great he is.  Lance Lynn is proving his 18 wins 2012 is no fluke.  I can go on but I'll just say this is the best top to bottom roster in the majors.
On today's show I'll be asking you to evaluate the best organizations and programs we follow.

THE PASSING OF DEACON by ST

Not sure how to properly explain what Deacon Jones was to my generation of NFL Fans.  The Hall of Fame D-Line terror passed at age 74 last night.  I think most are initially lured to sports by scoring.  The QB, home run hitter, goal scorer, ect.  Later Lawrence Taylor would ignite interest in a stellar defensive player, but prior to his arrival there was Jones.  Certainly the growth of the league and the magnificence of the Sabol's and NFL Films played a role.  We got to see and just as entertaining, hear what Deacon had to say about the havoc he wreaked on a regular basis.  In a special called "The Ultimate Defenders of Sport" he talked about his primary job being to put as much fear in the quarterbacks heart and pain in his back.  He was a terrific guy who stood up for Civil Rights and a talented, charismatic character who had turns in TV series like "The Brady Bunch" & "The Odd Coup" playing himself.  He also appeared in a great Warren Beatty movie "Heaven Can Wait" as a defensive lineman.  Hysterical and engaging in each case.  You will hear about his numbers, the sacks, the head slap and it's all impressive.  None of the above approaches his impact on those who followed the league and understand his place in the game among the elite pioneers who was worth the price of admission.  RIP Deek!
I was reading about the conviction of former MLB'er Milton Bradley.  Guilty of abusing his estranged wife and looking at 7 1/2 years in prison.  Wonder who he'll blame for this cause none of his missteps or failures or complete wasting of his talent has never been his fault.  The team, the league, the fans, the umps and of course the women.  Choked his pregnant wife but got off with that.  Then in 2011 arrested for trying to strike her with a baseball bat!  Enjoy your state sponsored vacation dirt bag!
On today's show we talk about how the anticipation of a Game 7 doesn't usually live up, the end of the Duck baseball season, the above issues, the NHL playoffs, more MLB and of course your calls and our digression!

IS IT REAL? By ST

Was perusing the MLB Standings and came across teams like the Pirates, Indians, Yankees, Rockies and Diamondbacks.  Doing well.  Right in the thick of things.  Nice Springs.  One question:  are they legit?  A year ago Cleveland was leading the Central with a nearly identical record.  They ended up losing 94 games and were a memory when the playoffs approached.  New York was just 2 games over  .500 before a strong finish pushed them all the way to the ALCS.  None of the others was even in consideration.  It's great for baseball from my chair cause I love the fresh face angle which usually takes place in the NFL.  The fact we still have more than 100 games left means this could mostly be fraudulent but for those fans, hope has surfaced.  A lot of folks penciled in the Tribe as contenders with new manager Terry Francona.  I thought the Red Sox were incompetent letting him go.  He had a perfect demeanor to handle the Boston heat and of course guided them to ending the Curse and another World Series victory.  Love Tito but he can't pitch and they have 2 legit starters.  Former Bosox property Justin Masterson who is throwing well and 25 year old Zach McAllister.  He was originally a 3rd round pick of the Yankees back in 2006 but was part of the Austin Kearns trade in 2010.  He showed signs last season, his 1st real stretch in the bigs making 22 starts and posting a decent era just above 4.  That's it.  Ubaldo Jimenez was once on the cusp of becoming a legit front liner in the NL with Colorado but has gone bust huge in the American League.  Scott Kazmir is failing in his effort to resurrect a once promising career when he was the Mets 1st round pick in 2002.  Brett Meyers has an era over 8.  This team can hit and are well up the charts in every substantial lumber category but with no legit 3-4 or 5 starter I don't buy it.  Just as distressing is what's taking place in Cleveland.  They are last in the AL in attendance despite being 1st in the division.  The days of The Jake rocking with Alomar, Belle, Thome, Manny and Lofton in the mid 90's seem a distant memory!
Have a terrific holiday weekend as we take a moment to thank those who have served.  I look forward to returning from NYC and being back on the air 3pm on Tuesday!

VIEW FROM THE EAST by Steve Tannen

It took me my first football season as a West Coast guy, 1990, to really understand the difference.  For NFL Sundays it meant a quick cup of coffee and off to the sports bar to watch the Jets or Giants.  No more dilly dallying around for a couple of hours before kickoff.  Monday Night Football starts at dinner time instead of 9pm.  I also discovered it left less down time which for me and my then 20-something friends meant less time for "trouble".  Now 23+ years later I'm vacationing with my old buddies & family in Jersey and it's an adjustment.  Got to where I'm staying in West Orange, New Jersey around 5:30 last night and started flipping around for games.  Then it hit me!  Duh.  Nothing begins until 7pm local time.  And if it's a West Coast game, as late as 10:30pm.  When I hooked up with some of my peeps on Friday morning bleary eyed, they inquired as to my condition.  I got some strange looks explaining I'd been up late the night before catching the end of Sharks/Kings and Spurs/Warriors which ended past 1am local time.  I've noticed most who grew up in pro sports cities don't seem to care much when their team is either eliminated or not involved.  Being a nut and doing the type of show we put on, I dive in for it all.  I've found the conversations surrounding this issue interesting.
This past Sunday we headed to Yankees Stadium for Bombers/Jays.  Got rained out.  We learned of this after trekking in from Jersey, then jumping 2 subways from midtown towards the Bronx.  I went to about 8-trillion games when I lived in these parts for nearly 30 years. I recall one rainout.  1986, Mets/Cubs.  In the past 7 years my wife and I have experienced two.  Considering we get to 1 game every 2 years, that's an annoying percentage.  I got 10 tickets for the game.  I hope my dad, sister, brother in law and their pals enjoy a game sometime later this year.  I'm not speaking to Mother Nature!

JUST DO IT!  NO SERIOUSLY BUD...DO IT NOW!  By ST

Down a run in the 9th at Cleveland, A's shortstop Adam Rosales goes yard.  Tie game!  He hit the ball over the wall which according to the rules of baseball is a home run.  One glitch.  MLB as usual is behind the technological times.  The buffoons in blue looked at their 15 inch monitor stolen from Bill Gates garage sometime around 1983 and did not find sufficient evidence to make the correction. Oakland gets screwed.  Hey, they still could have lost in the home 9th or extra innings, but we'd rather settle things on the field than idiotville!  2 things drive me nuts about this.  The media reports the Tribe victory is controversial.  No it's not!  Controversy is when you are torn about a decision.  An investigation is needed.  Coming up with the proper answer tears away at the parties involved.  This was simple.  Homer!  Then you have MLB this morning admit the umps blew it.  Awesome!  So we get to go back, award Rosales his bomb, and pick up the game all tied up in the 9th from that point right?  Wrong!  There is no reason Bud Selig and his knucklehead patrol can't provide the proper equipment and implement a commons sense replay manual quickly.  There is no other side to this debate. 

ALL IN...WELL SORT OF....MAYBE NOT SO MUCH by ST

So the Knicks open 2nd round play in the post season for the 1st time since game one vs the Heat on May 7th, 2000.  Long time.  This was once a model franchise before many of you were old enough to follow the NBA or even born.  The group who from 1969 through 1974 made at least the East Finals and captured the only titles in it's history.  It was a very charismatic group that won the hearts of the Big Apple fans with their cerebral approach and heart.  The leader was the Captain, Willis Reed.  Walt Frazier was Clyde, among the greatest all around points guards ever, a defensive genius and a killer in the clutch.  I've enjoyed watching this group most of the season as they can sting it from outside which can be entertaining.  They lost me a bit when some showed up wearing black prior to Game 5 at Boston last week.  It was classless and a punk move considering the horror of the Marathon and Newtown are still fresh in people's memories.  Should be a great series with the Pacers for sure.
One must doff the cap to the Bulls.  This team is banged up and battling illness yet they can win a game 7 on the road against a higher seed.  Of course it's the Nets, one of the most brutal, failure of a sports franchise in the history of American team sports, especially when you consider the size of the market.  Leading scorer Luol Deng and top assist man Kirk Hinrich were out and big fella Joakim Noah is playing a one and a half good feet.  Smart money says the Coach of the Year will be Erik Spoelstra of Miami, but serious consideration must be given to Chicago's Tom Thibodeau.  Sure, the ballots are in at the end of the regular season, but now you look back and admire the work he did without Derrick Rose all year to win 45 games.  He's a defensive guru who worked along side another great coach Doc Rivers in Boston helping the Celtics win their championship in 2008 ending what was by far the longest title drought in it's history at 22 years. 
Of course the key question is, does any of this matter?  Do you see the Knicks or Pacers giving Miami a legit run for their money?  With the Russell Westbrook injury is Oklahoma City a true threat?  I think the Spurs and Grizzlies can give the champs a run for their money.  Memphis is physical and really good defensively.  San Antonio can "D" up and has transformed into a more athletic, dangerous offensive team as well.  Game time!

STEP ONE by ST

So Jason Collins becomes the first active team athlete to come out.  In a perfect world the reaction would be, oh!  Then we'd move on.  Considering it's the off season and lot's is happening with the recently completed NFL Draft, NBA playoffs rolling, NHL post season about to start, MLB off and running the true test has yet to begin.  For openers, Collins is a free agent who played a mere 38 games this season for Boston & Washington.  Over the last 6 years he's been an end of the bench center averaging about 15 minutes per game.  It's no lock he's on a roster next season.  Then I suspect we'd see the vile and ignorance from fans.  Another key question is will this open the door for those closeted who are truly active, well known players?  I've heard and read about fans who say "I'd never root for a gay athlete".  You already do!  I was encouraged by the support via twitter sent Collins way by Kobe, Steve Nash, Baron Davis, Kurt Rambis and Martina Navratilova.  Martina came out in 1981.  She never landed those endorsement deals or benefits worthy of perhaps the greatest the game has known because of the gutlessness of corporate America at the time.  We shall see how much has changed or if we've evolved as a society!

Can I get a "HALLELUJAH"!  2 annoying items that ESPN has repeatedly crammed down our throats are gone for now.  The 2013 Lakers and Tim Tebow.  Jets cut the QB.  The proof jumps off the page.  I thought Jim Rome nailed it.  When a player or coach is asked about Tebow, you NEVER EVER hear what a great or even good quarterback he is.  It's always about his work ethic or the type of teammate he is which has never been a debate.  The harsh fact is he's completely incapable of being a successful NFL quarterback.  End of story.

I SEE YOU BARRY SANDERS by ST

Somehow another high level celeb has skated away from facts and history.  Every I see Barry Sanders recently, he is being revered.  What a joke.  Make no mistake, the dude was as electrifying.  Sweep to the right side for a 4 yard loss..no wait...it's a 66 yard TD.  Granted.  Now he's making the rounds pitching the new Madden game.  This is the same guy who toured schools and did public service ads preaching abstinence to kids.  Was the A.C Green of football.  Except Green is a high character guy and honest.  When it was discovered Sanders had a child out of wedlock in 1994 he was confronted.  His response?  "I don't talk about that subject any more".  Then we focus on his retirement.  If you can call it that.  In 1998 he rushed for more than 14-hundred yards and the talk was perhaps he could be the all time leader in rush yards.  The franchise was expecting their superstar back for the 1999 season.  He did not announce his retirement before the free agent period, or the draft.  They were awaiting his arrival at camp in July when he disappeared.  The backs available in the draft that year were Edgerrin James, Ricky Williams or even Kevin Faulk had Sanders clued them in on his plans.  Instead he hung it up with no warning.  So this Saint Barry routine is garbage.
Really disappointed in the Russell Westbrook injury.  I thought the Thunder had a real chance to give the Heat a run for their championship money.  This guy is unique and from my chair, one of the true elite players in the NBA.  Been in the league 5 years.  This will be the 1st game he's missed.  He is a lethal 1-2 punch with Kevin Durant.  It's possible he could return of OKC reaches the finals, but with a knee injury like this, it's not logical he would simply return at the level we've grown accustomed to watching him operate. 
Lot of NFL draft talk and coverage today.  Look forward to your input as always.

THE HORROR AND THE CLUELESS by Steve Tannen

We did 3 hours of radio from 3-6pm on the West Coast.  Felt obligated in and out each break to say it's our job to bring Crunchtime & SportsTalk but don't mistake it for thinking The Masters, Kobe, NBA playoffs and the rest was important after the news from Boston.  I appreciate those of you who took part and got what we were trying to do.  It's a cliche, but I've gone on the air in the wake of Columbine, 911, Virginia Tech and most recently Newtown and tried to provide that much needed diversion or distraction.  After 24 hours the level of disgust and that awful feeling in the pit of one's stomach hasn't altered much. 
Late last night the investigation into the Oregon/Will Lyles/recruiting mess got some run which carried into today.  Here's my take.  Deluded Duck fans are trying to blow it off to validate this incredible 4 year run.  Duck haters are trying to draw a parallel between this and the SMU scandal or some of the renegade programs like Miami.  Wrong & Wrong!  I've always felt this money for recruiting services was a large gray area & hopefully the rocket scientists at the NCAA will offer some clarity for the future.  My question will always be about the level of competitive edge Oregon might have gained.  We know Lache Seastrunk never saw the field, but if he ended in Eugene outside the rules, there should be a punishment.  I don't want to delve into the details of the 515 page report or speculate on how heavy the hammer will be.  Another question is to Oregon fans.  Does this put a taint on the accomplishments of the Kelly era?
No shows today due to Oregon baseball.  Catch up with you tomorrow.