Scooter Chronicles

Andre Dawson
Glad to see that “The Hawk” was elected to the Hall of Fame. Figured his day would come, but what was more interesting was that he was the only player elected this year. For those of you that didn’t hear, some of the writers that have ballots to vote turned in blank ballots. Not sure exactly what they were protesting, but maybe it’s time for them to give up their rights. As it was, Bert Blyleven just missed getting voted in, like he only needed two of the eight (from what I heard) idiots that put in blank ballots to vote for him and he would have made it. The one thing that makes me feel good about it though is that he should make it next year. Roberto Alomar was one that I figured would garner enough votes to make it this year, being his first, yet was behind Blyleven. So given that only Jeff Bagwell should play a major roll in next year’s voting, Blyleven should make it in next year.

Getting back to Dawson, he was one of my favorite players while growing up. I had a thing for the Montreal Expos of the early 80′s, and they had quite a team, led by Dawson. Gary Carter, Chris Speier, Tim Wallach, Tim Raines, Warren Cromartie, Steve Rogers, and Bill Gullickson all were a part of a very good team that maybe even under achieved a bit. But then Dawson went to the Cubs and continued to play well, even winning the NL MVP his first year there. Congratulations to a great player! He really deserved his entrance to the Hall.

Mark McGwire
So are we surprised that McGwire admitted to using steroids earlier this week? I’m not. What I find interesting is that he was going to admit it during his testimony a few years back on Capitol Hill, but wasn’t given full immunity. Also, he never said while testifying that he didn’t use, unlike others that did and have been proven to have in fact used or have evidence that leads one to believe they used. It gives me a little more sympathy for him. But regardless of what has happened, like Roger has said, I believe that McGwire belongs in the Hall (especially now that he has come out and admitted this). Bonds and A-Rod as well. These guys were/are just too good. Plus it is known that many players during what is now called “The Steroid Era” used them. My thinking is that steroids builds strength. So sure, you can hit a ball further. But it still takes hand-eye coordination and bat speed to really hit well in the big leagues. That is something that (I believe) steroids can’t help. Wish McGwire would have come clean sooner, but such is life.

Alabama Wins BCS
As always, I think the BCS is mostly just BS. Still want a playoff. Think that Alabama kind of backed into the title this year after Texas QB Colt McCoy went down with an injury, but who knows? Maybe they still would have beaten Texas. The Longhorns obviously played much better the second half and couldn’t stop the Tide from rolling.

The one thing though that sticks out is Nick Saban. As much as I liked Alabama’s football team while growing up, I started disliking them when Saban took over. Now mind you, I’m a bitter Michigan St. fan, that’s why. I remember hearing how BADLY he wanted the job at MSU and how he hoped to be there a long time and turn that program around. And just when it seemed they might be turning the corner, he leaves for a bigger school. Well, sure, you can understand someone wanting to take a better situation. But he just kept moving for more money. I bet that by the 2013 season Nick Saban will be coaching elsewhere because another school offered him the world.

For My Friend John
Damn! Those Blackhawks look great! At the time of writing this, they were tied for second in the NHL for best defense. They also are second with most goals scored. They also have the best record in the league, which is not surprising after hearing the first two stats. But I keep hearing how they are just under the salary cap and if someone gets injured, they may have a hard time calling anyone up. Hopefully they can stay healthy, or say a team that has had a lot of players injured that will come back refreshed all of a sudden will overtake them in the standings, like the Red Wings for instance.

Still think the Sharks will represent the West in the Cup Finals. Sorry.