Rest in Peace, Randy "Macho Man" Savage

Issue: You are telling me he was still alive?

Short Answer: That's exactly what I'm saying.

Randy "Macho Man" Savage (Poffo) when he played minor league baseball in the Cincinnati Reds farm system.

Reasoning: I have been planning on writing my eulogy of Randy Savage since my brother sent me this article from the New York Times a week ago.  Imagine my chagrin today, as I visited ESPN.com for the first time in weeks, only to find that Bill Simmons had done the very same thing.  In his article, Simmons talks very specifically about Savage and some of the matches, interviews, and run-ins he had during his career.  See, Simmons was in high school and college when he was watching the WWF, so he remembers things like that.  When Randy Savage broke into the WWF in 1985, I was seven years old.  I remember "Macho Man" but I couldn't recount a single match he ever had.  But, I can damn near guarantee you that I watched every single one of them.  I remember Miss Elizabeth (his female manager) as one of my very first crushes in life, next to Linda Carter, who played Wonder Woman right around the same time in my life (and, I date myself - again).

The thing I do remember about "Macho Man" was the fact that he was an entertainer first and a wrestler second.  I remember enjoying (and laughing hilariously) at his interviews, but, like I said before, I remember very little about his actual time in the ring.  I remember his "Ooooooooohhhhhhh, yyyyyyeeeeeaaaaahhhhhhh!" way more than I remember his flying elbow finishing move.  I remember his partnership with Miss Elizabeth (and who doesn't?) way more than his partnership with Hulk Hogan.  Randy Savage entertained every second he was on the television screen, and I can't help but think the height of his popularity coincided with the height of the WWF's popularity.  I feel like it was he, who ushered in the era in professional wrestling, where being a phenomenal athlete wasn't quite enough.  Those athletes also had to act and entertain, since, in the end, that is what pro wrestling is all about - entertainment.  People who watch it know it is fake (although those guys get beat up more than any other athletes out there, save football players), so those who make their living off of it, better bring some believability to the table.  Randy Savage did that.

But, the thing I remembered most about Randy "Macho Man" Savage was how he, and all those other wrestlers (Junkyard Dog, Hillbilly Jim, "Mr. Wonderful' Paul Orndorff, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, The British Bulldogs, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, etc.) gave my brothers and I something to love, something to do on Saturday mornings, and, something to fight about.  Although I don't remember Savage's matches, I do remember exactly where I was almost every Saturday morning for years - right in front a the little TV we had in the kitchen, watching "Mean" Gene Okerlund host the WWF, with my brothers by my side.  I also remember how my dad used to take the mini-versions of me and my brothers, one at a time, to do our Christmas shopping for each other.  Dad tells the story that, one Christmas (I imagine 1986.  Long time ago), each one of us got out of the van, walked into Toys'R'Us, and went straight to the aisle where the 6" toy plastic molded wrestlers were.  In taking three little kids shopping, he spent less than five minutes total in the store.  We had the mini-ring at home, so what better way to say Merry Christmas to my brothers than by "buying" them their favorite wrestlers - so I, and my wrestlers, could kick the crap out of them and their wrestlers.  And vice versa.  I remember the times when my brothers and I (and my dad, coincidentally) would gather around the TV to watch Wrestlemania - it was the first television program I can remember being excited to watch (maybe "Who's The Boss" as well - Alyssa Milano = hotness).  And Randy "Macho Man" Savage was at the center of it all.  Thanks Randy.  You and Miss Elizabeth (1960-2003) can entertain together, once again.

Why Joey Votto is the MVP. Still.

Issue: Is it because he absolutely rakes?

Short Answer: Well, yeah.  But he does so much more for the Reds.

Reasoning:  Now that the high school baseball season is over I will have more opportunities to do exactly what I did last night - catch most of the Reds' game.  The Reds came into the game losers of six in a row, and most of those losses were achieved in head-shaking fashion.  However, the Reds of 2010 showed up last night, stealing a win in the 9th from the Philadelphia Phillies.  Heading into the 9th the score was knotted at three a piece, and the Phillies were bringing in closer Ryan Madson.  Coming into Tuesday night Madson was 2-0 on the year with a 0.47 ERA and 9 saves (in 9 opportunities).  Let's pick up the action in the top of the 9th:

• After Edgar Renteria flew out to center, Drew Stubbs laid down a bunt-base-hit attempt.  It was a below average attempt, as bunters know when they bunt for a hit it should be "perfect or foul."  Stubbs damn near bunted the ball right back to the pitcher.  However, Madson came off the mound, tried to rush the throw, and chucked it down the right field line.  Stubbs should have bought the score keeper a beer or two, because, somehow, he/she/it scored the play a single.  Stubbs did reach 2nd on Madson's throwing error.
• Brandon Phillips then lined sharply to shortstop.  Two outs.
• With Joey Votto striding to the dish, everyone in the world (literally, every single person) knew Madson would intentionally walk him.  And, for the first time in history, everyone in the world was correct.  But that isn't what makes Votto the MVP (I hope none of you thought it was).
• Scott Rolen then reached on an infield single when he hit a hard ground ball down the 3rd base line which Placido Polanco had to dive for (this is the Votto-for-MVP play - I'll explain in a second).  Bases loaded, still two down.
• Jay Bruce, after a pop-up and two strikeouts in the game, came to the dish and delivered a bases clearing double.  Reds win 6-3.  Jay Bruce is the hero, right?  Wrong.  Joey Votto is.

Let me take you back to Scott Rolen's infield single.  First, Polanco probably did not have to dive for the ball, but, he did.  This was the exact right play too.  With a runner on 2nd and two outs, infielders have to dive after every single ball they can get to, in an effort to keep the ball on the infield.  If the ball gets to the outfield, the run scores.  If the ball stays in the infield, the runner can only advance to 3rd, and the offensive team still needs another hit to score.  That is why you see infielders dive after balls they know they can't make a play on in that situation.  It was the right play by Polanco.  But, Polanco didn't plan for Joey Votto.  See, Votto was on 1st base the whole time, doing what Joey Votto does - make baseball plays.  He got his proper leadoff, a great secondary lead, and was off on contact.  Polanco popped up quickly and immediately turned to throw to 2nd base for the force play.  Again, the exact right play.  But Polanco could only manage a pump-fake.  Why?  Because Votto was already sliding in to 2nd base.

If you can go back and watch the play, please do.  Problem is, I don't know where you are going to find video of an unexciting infield single.  Watching the play on someone's DVR is about the only way you are going to see it again.  Take it from me, it is hard to comprehend how Votto was that quick to reach 2nd base.  Maybe he has speed to go along with his uncanny approach at the plate and Gold Glove caliber leather at 1st base (did you see the play he made on Jimmy Rollins' ground ball down the 1st base line?  You can check it out here.  Sick.).  Maybe Dusty should give him the steal sign more.  Or, maybe, just maybe, Votto is one of those players who doesn't care that not a single person outside the Reds' clubhouse is giving him any credit for the Reds winning last night (except me, that is).  It's all about Jay Bruce's 3-run double in Cincinnati today.  People, please listen up -  Jay Bruce would never had the opportunity to drive in the winning run without Joey Votto making an unheralded, heads-up, baseball play.  He busted his butt in the name of a team victory, not MVP votes.  Yet, he's got my vote for MVP already (if I, you know, had a vote for NL MVP).

Dude is a freakin' ball player.

The Odd $tat of the Week

Issue: We are obviously talking about money here, right?

Short Answer: No doubt.

Reasoning: There once was a man named Bobby Bonilla.  Baseball fans surely know who he is, as years ago, he was actually a heck of a player.  Wikipedia (yeah, yeah, yeah) tells us that he was a six time all-star selection (1988-1991, 1993, 1995), a three time Silver Slugger award winner (the best offensive player at each defensive position - 1988, 1990, 1991), and he won a World Series title with the Marlins in 1997.  Not too shabby.  However, Bonilla did play for eight different teams and has often been known as somewhat of a malcontent, having more than one run-in with teammates and media members.  He is also well known for signing a 5-year, $25 million contract in 1992 with the New York Mets, that, at the time, made him the highest paid player in MLB.  However, it was a contract he never lived up to.  Yet, it was his second free-agent contract, this time signed with the Florida Marlins in 1996 for 4-years, $23.3 million, that is still making news today, thanks to the New York Mets.

See, the Mets, for reasons still unknown to all in baseball, decided to bring Bonilla back to the team before the beginning of the 1999 season.  Bonilla was paid his salary in 1999 even though he hit .160 with four home runs in only 60 games.  After the season, the Mets decided they didn't want Bonilla around, and they outright released him.  When a team releases a player, that team is still responsible for any remaining salary that player is due.  In 2000, Bonilla was owed $5.9 million.  So, when Bonilla signed with the Atlanta Braves before the 2000 season, his paychecks would still be coming from the New York Mets.  Or, perhaps they could work out a "better" deal for both parties.  I wish this was a story about the greatest agent who ever lived.  But, as you read the next paragraph, remember that Dennis Gilbert, who represented Bonilla early in his career, was quoted in the Wall Street Journal as saying, "The idea wasn't completely unilateral.  It wasn't one way. Both sides thought it was a good idea."

What did Bonilla and the Mets think was a good idea?  The Mets deferred Bonilla's payment of $5.9 million so they could free up more money to go after free agents.  Back in 2000 this wasn't unheard of.  But, when the deferment runs out, every party involved has to relive the deal they made, whether they came out on the good end or the bad end.  The party who came out on the bad end here, was the New York Mets.  In deferring $5.9 million they did have enough money to sign Mike Hampton, Derek Bell, and Todd Zeile.  With these players, the Mets went to the World Series in 2000 for the first time since 1986.  But, they lost to the Yankees.  Since then, they have only reached the playoffs once (2006).  So, how did Bonilla come out?  Well, starting on July 1, 2011, Bonilla will begin receiving payments from the Mets for $1,193,248.20 per year, for the next 25 years.  I will give you a second to read that over again.  See, when Bonilla and the Mets agreed to the deal, they agreed interest would be paid on that $5.9 million.  In fact, the interest rate was a sticking point in the negotiations between the parties.  They eventually agreed on 8%.  So, apply that interest rate to $5.9 million, over the last 10 years, and the total sum Bonilla will receive from the Mets over the next 25 years is a whopping $29,831,205.  That says THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS, just in case you missed it.  Turns out you don't need a great agent to negotiate great deals.  All you need to do is make sure you are negotiating with a complete and utter idiot, like former Mets GM Steve Phillips.  Here's to you Mr. Bonilla.

A Great NBA Debate

Issue: Are there any players still playing in the playoffs that should be considered one of the best ever?

Short Answer: Yes, there is.

Reasoning: As most of my readers know, I am not a huge fan of the NBA.  When it comes to basketball, my allegiance lies with the college game.  However, I do watch the playoffs, especially the Western Conference, because they start their games around 5 a.m. eastern time, and I am a night owl.  Last night during Game 1 of the Dallas/Oklahoma City series, Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson mentioned that the head coach of the Mavericks, Rick Carlisle, claimed that Dirk Nowitzki was one of the top-10 players of all time.  Van Gundy and Jackson laughed at Carlisle's comment, saying that it wasn't THAT outlandish, but they would put Nowitzki in the top-30, or so, of all time.  After watching last night's game, and realizing the Mavericks have made it to the Western Conference Finals with Jason Kidd as their point guard, I am leaning more toward agreeing with Rick Carlisle.

Dirk Nowitzki is absolutely, positively indefensible.  He is a 7-footer who can shoot, dribble, and pass.  And, on a night like he had last night, where he couldn't miss a shot, he can take over a game like none other.  Sure, he doesn't have the flair of a Michael Jordan, a Magic Johnson, or a Wilt Chamberlain, but he can do the same things they did.  Almost every possession went through Nowitzki, whether it was him catching the ball in the post to create for himself, or running the pick-and-roll with J.J. Berea, who consequently capitalized off the Thunder double-teamming Nowitzki, by scoring 21 points.  That's right, J.J. Berea scored 21 points, and I give each and every one of them to Dirk.  How good was Dirk last night?  Check it out:

• He had 48 points on 12-for-15 shooting from the floor and 24-for-24 from the line, which, as was widely reported, set an NBA playoff record for free throws made without a miss;
• He set an NBA playoff record for free throws made in a regulation-length game, breaking Michael Jordan's record of 23 free throws made (in 28 attempts) in a win over the Knicks on May 14, 1989;
• His 24-for-24 from the line not only established an NBA record for free-throw attempts without a miss in a playoff game. That performance also exceeded the corresponding record for any regular-season game in NBA history. (Dominique Wilkins holds the regular-season mark: he went 23-for-23 from the line for the Hawks in a game against the Bulls in 1992.);
• In addition, he made 12-of-15 field-goal attempts. His total of 48 points was the highest in any playoff game in NBA history by a player who shot at least 80 percent from the floor. No other player had ever scored that many points in a postseason game while attempting fewer than 22 shots from the field. The previous fewest field-goal attempts was 22 by Bob Cousy on March 21, 1953 (50 points on 10/22 FG, 30/32 FT) and he needed four overtimes to reach those levels.

That is seriously ridiculous, but, it is only one game.  Is there anything else out there that says this guy is a top-10 player of all time?  Would I be writing this if there weren't?  Okay, maybe I would, but not this time.  The NBA implemented the 3-point line in the 1979-1980 season (that means I am older than the 3-point line - FML).  Since then there has been a "club" which few players have been a member of.  This "club" requires you to shoot 90% from the free-throw line, 50% from the field, and 40% from the 3-point line.  I'm pretty sure I couldn't do that in an empty gym.  Anyway, some of the members won't shock you (and, yes, I realize that by this time you know Nowitzki is a member, but bear with me):

1. Larry Bird ('86-'87, '87-'88) - even at 6'9", simply one of the best shooters ever;
2. Mark Price ('88-'89) - a 6-foot guard, but, a Georgia Tech grad, so you know he is a stud;
3. Reggie Miller ('93-'94) - at 6'7", maybe the second best shooter ever, behind Larry Legend;
4. Steve Nash ('05-06, '07-'08, '08-'09, '09-'10) - a 6'3" point guard - ever wonder why this guy has won two MVP's?  Check out how many times he's been a member of the "club."

And that is the whole list.  Almost.  Three of these guys - Bird, Miller, Nash - are tall enough to be good post players as well, which helps the field-goal percentage.  But none of them would be considered post players.  All of them, however, would be considered shooters.  Dirk Nowitzki brings to the table every single aspect of the game.  He is a 7-footer, so his post game is impeccable and indefensible.  Yet he shoots like a guard.  Last night, Van Gundy and Jackson were talking about how great of a job Serge Ibaka was doing on Dirk defensively.  Seriously.  The guy scored 48 with a hand permanently in his face.  For the record, Dirk did not join the 50-40-90 club this year, but in 2006-07, and it is the only time he has done it.  But, after watching Dirk last night (and throughout the playoffs) I can't believe there have been many players in the history of the NBA who brought more to his team than he does.