7/30/07 July 30th Rumblings

July 30 ramblings

The NFL has opened camps around the country. Some of the big names not yet reporting (holding out) include Michael Strahan (time to retire?) and Brady Quinn. What's up with that? Looking for money better than the pick he ended up being no doubt. With the learning curve and acclimation necessary to go from college to pro you would think he would be in camp on day 1. The loyalists will defend Quinn, citing the slippage in the draft as mistakes, but to succeed, first year players need to be in camp and participating immediately.

Big news over the weekend was Priest Holmes showing up to play for the Chiefs. Interestingly, he decided to come back afte the terrible neck injury after having a dream. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp07/news/story?id=2953742&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1 I wish him well and hope he doesn't end up hurt again.

MLB news - Gwynn and Ripken enter the hall of fame. Both played their entire careers with a single team (read:dinosaurs) and both are deserving in my opinion. There are Ripken detractors out there that quote numbers and say he should not be in and that the consecutive game record is not Hall worthy. Based on his stats and his being one of, if not the first, to change the shortstop position into the good hitting power hitting players we have seen in the last 20 years, I vote him in. His lifetime numbers strike me as similar to Yaz, .276 431 HR, 2 MVP's, 3184 hits. I know 3000 hits and 400 HR isn't the lock for the Hall the way it used to be but they still tell a story.

Gwynn was the best "hitter" in the game for a generation. Obviously not the best producer or power hitter, just a sweet swing and ability to get on base. Amazingly his early career numbers show what he could have been had he not put on all the weight he put on. Five seasons of over 20 steals with a high in 1987 of 56 steals.

As of this morning, Bonds remains 1 short of equaling Hank Aaron's HR record. The Giants are on the road for 6 games before returning home. I think he ties the record on the road to set up breaking it at home. For me, this has become that terrible car wreck on the side of the highway and as you pass by, you have to look. I don't want Bonds surplanting Aaron on the throne, it is happening though, and I can't help but take a look as it goes past. It is history. There are many moments in history that you don't like but you know of them, can picture many of them.

The Sox hold an 8 game lead on the resurging Yankees. The trade deadline is tomorrow afternoon, will be interesting to see what moves both teams make. I think the Sox make a splash for someone, somehow Ortiz isn't right (health) and they need protection for his power loss. On a high note, Coco Crisp has climbed into the .280's lately (.279 as of last night) and Manny has really been hitting since the break. Schilling is due back soon and the pitching generally has been very good again of late.

There is a nice story worth reading http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?id=2952659&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab4pos1 about Rod Beck and his family. Take a look.

I see a story about the Celtics and Timberwolves talking again about Kevin Garnett and a possible trade. Danny Ainge better have something up his sleeve, the draft results left me wanting for a complete overhaul. I thought Garnett said he would not play for Boston anyway?