Hello,
The more details that come out about the USADA's witch hunt of Lance Armstrong, the more I think how such big assholes the USADA are. I'm not a big fan of swearing, but that words seems appropriate in this case.
It seems the consensus is behind Armstrong in this battle of perception. Here are a couple of examples of that. Even fellow cyclist Miguel Indurain has come out in support of Armstrong, although Indurain seems to loathe the USADA equally. From espn.com here are a couple of comments that Indurain wrote in Saturday's Marca newspaper. Written comments have more weight as he thought about it and also had a chance to change what he wrote. I'm sure it also went through an intense evaluation by Marca's editors. He wrote: "until an organization recognized by all decides to the contrary, the Tour victories are his." He also wrote: " U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's case against Armstrong "strange," claiming its pursuit of the American was "without scruples."
I would agree with the "without scruples". Also the word vendetta also jumps to mind.
Thank you si.com for the following:
"The home of Sporting Kansas City will continue to be called Livestrong Sporting Park after Lance Armstrong's decision to end his fight against doping charges.
The naming rights partnership between our stadium and Livestrong provides an opportunity to spread health and wellness messages that emphasizes the spirit of cancer survivorship,'' the statement said. "Livestrong's focus is the fight against cancer and the support of 28 million people around the world affected by this disease, and we believe strongly in this mission.''
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/08/24/sporting-kansas-city-livestrong.ap/index.html#ixzz24a3LKwJ9
The words of Indurain, the surge of donations to Livestrong and Sporting Kansas City continuing with the name of their stadium as Livestrong Sporting Park. Also Armstrong's sponsors have all stayed behind him for now, and sponsors usually only care about the bottom line. It seems either the sponsors really believe in Armstrong, Nike is saying all the right things, or they will withdraw as sponsors later and very quietly.
MLB: I've been following the Pittsburgh Pirates since last season. Last season they started off strongly and then faded terribly. This season looks like they're following the same pattern. They have played pretty well the first two-thirds of the season. But as of late it seems like they ran into a wall. They've lost four in a row and have only won 3 of their last 10 games. I'm not completely giving up on them yet. If they are a playoff caliber team this needs to be the time where they show that.
Thankfully they aren't as hopeless as the Cubs or Red Sox. Speaking of which Boston looks to become a bit less hopeless today. It sounds like the blockbuster Dodgers-Red Sox trade will be finalized today. I believe it's a trade that can help both teams. The Dodgers would lose James Loney, not much of a loss, and 4 prospects. The way the trade stands now a couple of Dodgers hotshot prospects will be going to Boston. One of those prospects is pitcher Rubby De La Rosa. Allen Webster would be the other pitcher that Boston will get in the deal. It's true that you can never have enough pitching. Especially this Red Sox pitching staff. With this trade they'll be able to dump Josh Beckett and his horrendous contract. Beckett has just been awful lately, he's only won 1 of his last 13 starts. Hopefully by playing for a team in a playoff race will help revitalize Beckett. At the end of the season, Boston will be able to dump Daisuke Matsuzaka and his horrendous contract. Even if De La Rosa isn't ready for the big leagues next season, Boston's pitching should be considerably better after this trade. (As I'm writing this, this trade is just projected. Thanks as always to ESPN for all the great information.)
The Red Sox will lose really one big time player, but he's a hell of a player. That's Adrian Gonzalez, who leads the Red Sox in nearly every offensive category this season. Boston also gains by dumping the overpriced Carl Crawford and Beckett and the outrageous amounts of money they're owed. Also Crawford just had "successful" Tommy John surgery this past Thursday. I wonder did Boston also try to dump fellow Tommy John surgery players Jon Lackey and Daisuke Matsuzaka on the Dodgers as well?
I think the Red Sox smelled a bit of blood in the water and went after it. They are probably in shock that the Dodgers actually went for this deal. Other than Gonzalez, it seems the Dodgers are actually getting very few, if any, assets back. If I were the Dodgers I would want Gonzalez on his way to LA once this trade is finalized. He's a definite upgrade over Loney in the Dodgers line up.
Again Don Mattingly, coaches and players it's now time for you guys to deliver. Dodgers management has added Hanley Ramirez, Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton and it looks like Adrian Gonzalez since the start of the season. Matt Kemp, Clayton Kershaw and Andre Ethier have all recently signed big contracts. They have few injury issues. However the Dodgers haven't played equal to what it seems they should have even with all the new additions. It's time for Dodgers players to walk the walk. Hopefully LA hasn't followed the Red Sox recent example of signing underperforming big name players.
Unless the Dodgers and Pirates start playing to their potential, it looks like my only MLB team that will make this season's playoffs is the Braves. And even they've had a few struggles lately as well. Even if they make the playoffs, will they do anything there. The Braves usually collapse in the playoffs.
themusicaddict
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