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Saturday, July 5, 2008
Favre gets past issues of passion and pride
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH (Offered at your own price):
• Ah, here it is right before my eyes, explains everything about Brett Favre and why he couldn’t possibly be thinking of un-retiring and returning to the Packers. “He has lost his passion for the game,” the story says. “I have way too much pride,” he also says, to think of not doing the things expected of him. Right out of the AJC sports section, dated last March 7.
• Are they kidding us? This Brent Lillibridge, the shortstop the Braves just sent back to Richmond, is 24 years old? And weighs 192 pounds? Looks like the senior class mascot to me. The press guide says he’ll be 25 in September.
• Well, there’s nothing as wise and error-free as afterthought. Just ask Jeff Francoeur. In March 2007, the Braves offered Brian McCann and Francoeur long-term, multi-million dollar contracts, running to 2012, with an option for an extra year. McCann took it. Francoeur gambled on his future and turned it down, holding out until he becomes eligible for arbitration. McCann looking good, Francoeur back on the farm, trying to find out what got away after two seasons of 100-plus runs batted in. This is heart-breaking stuff.
• Errie Ball, 94, last living member of the first Masters field in 1934, has been invited as a special guest to the Tour Championship at East Lake in September. As an added thought, why not invite him to strike a ceremonial first drive, sort of fill in for Tiger Woods’ absence? Don’t laugh, he still gives lessons at his club in Florida.
• Have you been missing the “Bearing Point” cap and “Ford” shirt that Phil Mickelson wore in tournaments? They have been replaced by other sponsors, and by checking the stock quotations, you’ll see why. Last time I looked, Bearing Point was selling for 80 cents a share and Ford was dipping into unexplored territory.
• In the spring I had a hunch about the Pirates as a National League darkhorse, with McLouth and Nady and Bay and Sanchez beating the offensive drums. They did appear in need of more strong starting pitcher, and I hadn’t counted on Matt Capps losing his closing touch, or Sanchez flunking at the plate. (Remember, he led the league in hitting two seasons ago.) So they’re still a darkhorse.
• You must have seen that Aaron Baddeley television commercial, with all those babes hanging out of his racy convertible. It’s something the young Aussie wishes he’d never done. “I regret that commercial,” he said. “It’s not even close to representing who I am as a person.”
• In-house stuff: Would you believe that the publisher of Sporting News was once a copyboy in our sports department? Oh, a copy boy was a guy who came running when one of our harried editors cried out, “Copy!” He ran errands and such, and Ed has done rather smartly at whatever he took on.
• Here’s one that hits the spot, straight out of Tiger Woods’ mouth: “If I was running golf, it would be all persimmon [heads] and balata [balls.]” In other words, back to the old days, restoring the glory of some of the classic old courses.
• It is quite probable that the two most enduring pitchers in the major leagues are now Phillies, Jamie Moyer and Rudy Seanez. Moyer begin his career in 1984, Seanez in 1986. Moyer is 45, Seanez will be 40 in September. Moyer is the oldest starter since Phil Niekro.
• It slipped under the radar, that the Braves severed their strength and conditioning coach, Frank Fultz, but at the same time, made it clear that his departure was in no way connected to all the crashing bodies and suffering arms around him. Just a case of bad timing and cranky relationships.
• And how can a player who has spent five to 10 years in the Japanese major league be classed as a “rookie” in the USA? … Selah.
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