Big Papi Tests Positive: Why We Should Not Be Upset

Reaction to today's revelation that David Ortiz tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003:

---I know I'm in the vast minority on this, but I have never been and never will be bothered by the steroid era. Guys like Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, and David Ortiz deserve a spot in Cooperstown, regardless of how many syringes they injected into their bodies.

---Before you label me reckless and irresponsible, let me set the record straight. I do not advocate steroid use. PED's are incredibly dangerous to one's health. However, I can't blame the players who used PED's. It is easy for the baseball purists to sit back and say that guys like Hank Aaron and Joe DiMaggio would never use steroids, but I'm not sure this is the case. If Aaron and DiMaggio played in a culture where their competitors were taking steroids, it would be awfully hard to not succumb to temptation.

---The fact that baseball experienced such widespread steroid use is unfortunate, but it shows that there was a level playing field. That David Ortiz is one of the greatest hitters the game has ever seen is beyond dispute. Today's news does nothing to change that.

---Why do people hold baseball to such an unfair standard? When San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman tested positive for steroids in 2006, nobody seemed to care. Merriman, one of the best defensive players in the NFL, maintained a fantastic reputation. Yet when one of baseball's players gets outed for drug use, people respond as if the world is coming to an end.

---It is not fair to call David Ortiz a cheater. However, it is fair to call him a hypocrite. When A-Rod tested positive for steroid use back in February, Big Papi was the first player to take an outspoken stance, arguing that any player who tests positive should receive an automatic one -year suspension. I doubt he believes that now.

---Here's the bottom line: Today's news in no way diminishes Big Papi's accomplishments. If I had a Hall of Fame vote, I would vote for Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, A-Rod, Ramirez, and Ortiz every single time their names appeared on the ballot.

The Sanchez Trade: Terrific Move By Sabean

Following today's thrilling Giants' victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, Freddy Sanchez took a stroll from one dugout to the other. Sanchez, the supremely talented second baseman batting .296 with 34 RBI this season for the Pirates, was dealt to San Francisco after the game in exchange for top pitching prospect Tim Alderson. This trade comes two days after the Giants acquired Ryan Garko from Cleveland, and it proves that Brian Sabean is doing everything in his power to position the Giants for a postseason run. San Francisco's offense has sputtered this season, and Sabean has now made two moves that will significantly bolster the offensive production of Bruce Bochy's team.

However, this move has some skeptics. After all, Sanchez is coming off a knee injury, and in Tim Alderson the Giants gave up a pitcher with great potential. But I love this trade. Giants doctors re-evaluated Sanchez's knee today and found nothing to be worried about, and as far as Alderson is concerned, you have to give up talent in order to get talent.

As a diehard Giants fan, I am ecstatic about the Sanchez trade. It should be a fun pennant race in the City By The Bay.

Lee to Philadelphia. What does this mean for Halladay?

A few quick thoughts on the Phillies' acquisition of Indians ace Cliff Lee:

---Lee, the reigning AL Cy Young champ, is a stellar pitcher who has flown under the radar in Cleveland. Lee pretty much makes the Phillies the inevitable NL East winners, and strengthens the defending champions' chances at repeating.

---However, what makes this trade so fascinating is how it will affect Roy Halladay's future. Halladay, long rumored to be headed to Philadelphia, now may not be traded at all. G.M. J.P. Ricciardi announced today that a Roy Halladay trade is unlikely. Halladay, who takes the mound for the Blue Jays today against slumping Seattle, has to be disappointed.

---The Jays ace has been saying all the right things in recent weeks, talking about how he loves Toronto and how he would be content to stay put. But it is evident that Halladay has a burning desire to play on a contender, and Toronto is years away from playing contending baseball in the highly competitive AL East.

---Halladay could still be traded before Friday's trade deadline, but if he does indeed stay in Toronto, he won't be hoisting a World Series trophy anytime soon.

Favre, Papelbon, Armstrong, and random observations on the wonderful world of sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Brett Favre has retired. Or so we think.

---Don't worry Favre fans. You can always count on Favre to put us through another summer of will he or won't he nausea next year.

---That Favre is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time goes without saying. However, I have lost a lot of respect for the guy over the last few years. At the tail end of his career, Favre turned into a petulant, annoying freak show. Last summer he held the Packers hostage. This summer he held the Vikings hostage.

---Okay. Enough Favre talk. Let's move on to some topics of real interest.

---The Red Sox missed a huge opportunity last night. With the red-hot Yankees having already lost in Tampa Bay, Boston carried a three-run lead into the ninth inning at home against the lowly Oakland Athletics. Boston had a rare chance to gain a game on New York, but Jonathan Papelbon coughed up the lead and the Red Sox lost in eleven innings. Ouch.

---Papelbon is normally lights-out, but he has been shaky recently. My guess is that the Red Sox will still make the playoffs, but there is a tangible sense of anxiety right now in Beantown.

---Great move by my Giants in acquiring Ryan Garko from the Indians. Garko is a formidable hitter who will provide a needed spark to the San Francisco offense. He went 0 for 4 last night against the Pirates, but he scorched the ball in his last two at-bats.

---G.M. Brian Sabean may not yet be done dealing, as rumor has it that the Giants are interested in Pirates 2B Freddy Sanchez. Sounds exciting. We shall see what happens. Go Giants!

---What in the world is wrong with the Milwaukee Brewers? Fading fast from the playoff picture, the Brew Crew have gotten hammered by the awful Washington Nationals in two consecutive games at Miller Park. Yikes. The baseball has been so discouraging in Milwaukee that now the fans are showing up at Miller Park just to see the seventh inning sausage race.

---Congratulations to your 2009 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador. And kudos to Lance Armstrong for finishing in third place.

---I like Armstrong, and I have never gotten involved in rumors involving his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs. However, even I am bothered by his latest Nike commercial. The ad is a shamelessly manipulative piece of propoganda that basically accuses all Lance Armstrong skeptics of being mean to recovering cancer patients. The commercial is extremely well-made, but it is astonishingly exploitative. Lance Armstrong must find a better way to sound off against his critics.

Rose, Holliday, Goodell, and random observations on the wonderful world of sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Apparently Commissioner Bud Selig is considering reinstating Pete Rose back into baseball. Good for Selig. It's easy to criticize Selig's general ineptitude, but at least he's beginning to see the stupidity in Pete Rose's lifetime ban on baseball.

---Pete Rose belongs in the Hall of Fame. No if's, and's, or but's about it. In no way do I condone his betting on baseball, but this isn't the Hall of Morals. Pete Rose is one of the greatest hitters the game has ever seen, the face of those great Cincinnati Reds teams in the 1970's. He played with incredible grit and tenacity. And he's not in the Hall of Fame? This is beyond ridiculous. Rose may be a prickly jerk, but he needs to be inducted into Cooperstown as soon as possible.

---Speaking of Cooperstown, congratulations to Jim Rice and Rickey Henderson on their inductions into the HOF yesterday. Rice and Henderson both gave excellent speeches, especially Henderson, who displayed surprising humility in a speech that was genuinely funny and gracious. And once again, the ceremony was beautifully done. Baseball, more so than any other sport, does a fantastic job of honoring the legends of the game.

---It was not a good weekend for the St. Louis Cardinals, who squandered their first-place position to the resurgent Chicago Cubs, but it wasn't all bad for Tony LaRussa's club. Matt Holliday has been an unstoppable force through his first couple of games with the Cards. Here's hoping he continues to stay hot against Dodger pitching this week.

---It's a big homestand for my San Francisco Giants, who return to AT&T Park to face the Pirates and Phillies after a rough road trip. Let's get off to a great start tonight behind Tim Lincecum! Go Giants!

---To my surprise, Roy Halladay has yet to be traded. The Phillies have refused to meet J.P. Ricciardi's strict demands for Halladay, and sources are reporting that the trade is unlikely to occur. I'm not sure what Philly is thinking here. Of course it's never ideal to give up top prospects, but we're talking about Roy Halladay here! If I were Philadelphia G.M. Ruben Amaro Jr., I'd give up the entire farm in order to get Halladay.

---Terrell Owens ignited more controversy over the weekend, but this time he did nothing wrong. Asked about Commissioner Roger Goodell's decision to suspend Michael Vick for four games to start the NFL season, T.O. passionately spoke in opposition to Goodell's decision. Owens' had harsh words for Commissioner Goodell, even suggesting that Goodell spend time in jail. Of course that last part is laughable, but Owens' broader point is absolutely dead-on. Vick has served his time and he has expressed genuine remorse for his actions, yet Goodell insists on extending further punishment toward Vick. Goodell is a strong commissioner, but when it comes to Vick, he is unnecessarily unforgiving.

---And in the NBA, the New Orleans Hornets are close to an agreement with the Charlotte Bobcats that would send Tyson Chandler to Charlotte in exchange for Emeka Okafor. This marks the second time in six months that the Hornets have tried to trade away Chandler. If this deal does indeed go through, it is a huge win for Charlotte, and a reminder that the Hornets are blind when it comes to Chandler. Tyson Chandler is in the upper echelon of NBA big men, while Emeka Okafor has never fully realized the potential that he showed during his days at UConn.

Thoughts on the Matt Holliday Trade

---Matt Holliday has been traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. In Holliday, Tony LaRussa's team has added one of the game's most outstanding hitters. An Albert Pujols-Matt Holliday duo should scare the hell out of opposing pitchers.

---This trade makes the first-place Cardinals the undeniable favorite to win the NL Central. At this very moment, Cubs GM Jim Hendry, Astros GM Ed Wade, and Brewers GM Doug Melvin should be working the phones, scrambling in search of a response to the Holliday trade.

---The Holliday trade comes mere weeks after the Cardinals acquired Mark DeRosa from Cleveland, and mere days after they acquired Julio Lugo from the Red Sox. Could St. Louis also be in the market for Roy Halladay?

---Holliday's numbers were down for his standards in his first season with the Oakland Athletics, but he is still an imposing force at the plate. Playing on a contending team for the first time since 2007 in Colorado should spark increased production.

---The A's traded Holliday to St. Louis in exchange for a handful of prospects. No surprise there. But don't get too excited A's fans. You can always count on Billy Beane to trade away the prospects just when they start to become productive at the major-league level. That's his trademark. Billy Beane, beloved in the baseball world and known for his "Moneyball" approach, is one of the most overrated general managers in sports.

---If I'm Tony LaRussa, I bat Matt Holliday in the clean-up position behind Pujols. That way teams would have to think twice before giving an intentional pass to Pujols.

---This is the first major trade of the baseball season. The July 31 trade deadline is just a week away, and tune in next Friday for my live-blog of the day's events.

Buehrle, Wise, T.O., and random observations on the wonderful world of sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Mark Buehrle has thrown a perfect game in Chicago. The White Sox ace made baseball history on Thursday, making the Tampa Bay Rays hitters look completely defenseless. Another spectacular chapter in the career of one of baseball's most underrated pitchers. Mark Buehrle now has a no-hitter, a perfect game, and a World Series ring, all of which have come in the last four years.

---Buehrle should give a special tip of the cap to teammate DeWayne Wise, who made an unbelievable leaping catch to rob Gabe Kapler of a home run in the ninth inning. Wise, whom manager Ozzie Guillen put into the game as a defensive replacement in the ninth, somehow managed to hold onto the ball after bobbling it due to his collision with the wall. An absolutely amazing play that will be replayed for years to come.

---Could the perfect game be a sign of destiny for Ozzie Guillen's White Sox? I still like the Tigers to win the AL Central, but the ChiSox will make this an interesting race in August and September.

---Speaking of interesting races, how about the mayhem that has ensued in the NL Central. The Cardinals, Astros, Brewers, and Cubs are all fighting for the division crown. The team currently playing the best baseball? Miguel Tejada, Roy Oswalt, and Cecil Cooper's Houston Astros.

---If I were Terry Francona, I'd be a little nervous about falling to second place behind the Yankees. The Red Sox have thoroughly dominated the Yankees this season, winning all eight games between the two teams. Yet Derek Jeter and company somehow find themselves in first place. Joe Girardi's team is playing extremely well right now, and the opposite is true for Boston. After getting whipped by Ian Kinsler and the Rangers, the Red Sox are officially in a worrisome slump. We're in store for another thrilling race between these two ancient rivals.

---And in all honesty, I'm a bit puzzled by the Red Sox acquisition of Adam LaRoche. LaRoche is a tall, lanky first baseman with some power, but if Theo Epstein expects LaRoche to be the missing piece that will carry Boston in October, he's sorely mistaken. However, I expect Epstein, one of the best GM's in the game, to make another move before the trade deadline.

---My Giants have been struggling as of late, but we picked up a big win today in Atlanta behind the resurgent arm of Barry Zito. Up next: a HUGE series in Denver with the wild-card-leading Rockies. Go Giants!

---That controversial dunk video of Jordan Crawford and LeBron has finally been released, and it turns out it was much ado about nothing. So what was LeBron so worried about? Why did he have such a hissy fit and demand that the tapes of the dunk be confiscated? C'mon King James, you're WAY better than that!

---And finally, Terrell Owens' new reality show debuted this past week. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..........Sorry, I just dozed off there for a little bit.

Watson, Cink, Burns, and random observations on the wonderful world of sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Well, the story was too good to be true. Tom Watson thrilled sports fans with his incredible play over the weekend at the British Open, only to collapse down the stretch and lose in a playoff to Stewart Cink. Too bad, because if the 59-year old Watson would have won, it would have been one of the most memorable moments in sports history. But Cink's victory made for an anti-climatic ending to a great tournament.

---No disrespect to Cink----he seems like a nice guy and he is a deserving winner----but he was the unquestionable villain on Sunday. Everybody outside of Cink's direct family was pulling for Tom Watson. As Bill Simmons opined on his Twitter page on Sunday, Stewart Cink is going to follow his win at the Open Championship by punching Santa Clause in the face.

---Tom Watson should be rightfully disappointed at the way he fell apart yesterday, but he should ultimately be proud of his accomplishments over the weekend at Turnberry. He may not have won, but Watson still gave a valiant effort that deserves to be applauded.

---Roy Halladay threw another gem yesterday in Toronto, dominating the powerful Red Sox lineup. Blue Jays G.M. J.P. Ricciardi is asking for a lot in return, but I would be surprised if Halladay isn't traded to a contender before the July 31 trade deadline.

---That Mets-Braves game last night was ugly. The Mets have looked terrible this year, and it is quite baffling. I know Jerry Manuel's team is playing without Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, and Jose Reyes, but they still have enough talent to compete. Panic time has officially arrived in Queens.

---I'll end by offering an appreciation of San Francisco Giants owner Sue Burns, who passed away yesterday at the age of 58 from cancer. Burns, along with her husband Harmon and Peter Magowan, helped save baseball in San Francisco when the city was in danger of losing the Giants in 1992. For the past sixteen years, Burns was clad in orange and black at every Giants home game. She was one of the most passionate owners in all of sports, and she will be missed.

No Tiger, No Problem: Watson Keeps Things Exciting at Turnberry

After an insufferably bad second round performance in Scotland, Tiger Woods has missed the cut at the British Open. The world's most dominant athlete looked shockingly human on Friday, and he will not be around this weekend to battle the gusty winds and deep bunkers at Turnberry. This is indeed a stunning development, a development that in any other year would doom the PGA. In any other year, the absence of Tiger would zap the drama right out of a PGA major. But not this year. Because this year, The Open Championship is blessed with the kind of Cinderella story that makes sports so addictive. This year, a 59-year-old golf legend is poised to win his ninth major. This year, the play of Tom Watson has been must-see television.

The current state of golf is filled with promising youngsters. Guys like Anthony Kim, Rory McIlroy, and Ryo Ishikawa have the kind of staggering potential that has at times conjured memories of a young Tiger Woods. Heading into the 138th Open Championship, nobody expected Tom Watson to contend. Watson's presence at Turnberry was simply meant to be ceremonial, a nice way of honoring one of the game's greats. After all, Tom Watson spends his days now on the Senior Tour, so it was ridiculous to think that he could be a legitimate threat at Turnberry, right? Ah, not so fast. Just like last year's British Open, where Greg Norman was a contender, Tom Watson is showing the world that he still has game. Watson will enter Saturday's third round at five under par, sharing the lead with fellow underdog Steve Marino. And Watson hasn't just been playing great golf. He has been playing with thrilling flash. After making bogey on five of the first seven holes on Friday, Watson rallied in compelling fashion on the back nine, sinking two incredible birdie putts on holes sixteen and eighteen to put himself back atop the leaderboard.

What a spectacular story this is. Tom Watson is one of the nicest guys around, always carrying himself with class and humility. Thirty-two years after Tom Watson defeated Jack Nicklaus at the British Open, an epic battle that came to be known as the Duel in the Sun, Watson could win another major. As much as I love Tiger, and as newsworthy as it is to see him miss the cut, Tom Watson deserves the spotlight. Should Watson go on to win the Claret Jug on Sunday, it would be the single most exciting sports moment of the year, and memories of Tiger's disastrous play will have long since faded.

What To Watch For in Baseball's Second Half

The All-Star Break is now a thing of the past, as the American League dominance continued last night in St. Louis. The second half of the 2009 MLB season commences tomorrow night, and the playoff races are heating up. Here are the top three stories to watch in baseball's stretch run:

1. The Fate of Roy Halladay

Halladay was not at his best in last night's All-Star Game, but make no mistake about it: He is one of the very best pitchers in baseball, second only to Tim Lincecum. Halladay has been consistently outstanding during his tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays, but as the Jays are experiencing yet another year of mediocrity, GM J.P. Ricciardi has placed Halladay on the trading block. Sources close to the Blue Jays seem to think that there is a 50-50 chance that Halladay gets traded, but just for the sake of argument, let's say he does get traded. Where will he end up?

In the National League, Philadelphia and St. Louis seem to be the top two contenders in the Roy Halladay sweepstakes. The Phillies just signed Pedro Martinez, but Pedro is past his prime. The Phillies need more pitching. The Cardinals, meanwhile, need Halladay to be considered a legitimate title contender. Halladay would be a welcome addition to a Cards rotation that already includes Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright.

In the American League, there have been rumors that the Red Sox and Yankees are possible destinations for the Jays' ace. For J.P. Ricciardi's sake, I hope that there is no truth to this absurd rumor. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: If Ricciardi sends Halladay to Boston or New York, he would automatically strengthen a division rival, making Boston or New York instant championship favorites. That would be beyond stupid on the part of Ricciardi. I trust that he's smart enough to see the inanity in such a trade.

Where will Halladay land? If I had to wager money, I'd bet Philadelphia. But Halladay is such a valuable commodity, if Toronto doesn't find a team willing to give up significant talent in return, they'd be better off keeping their ace.

2. Can the Giants catch the Dodgers?

Oh yes we can! Bruce Bochy's San Francisco Giants currently have a two-game lead in the NL Wild Card over the surprising Colorado Rockies. This is great news, but I think I speak for Giants fans everywhere when I say that I still have my sights set on catching the Dodgers. The Giants are seven games back of the hated blue, but that lead is not insurmountable, not with the incredible wealth of pitching that San Francisco has. Pitching, on the other hand, is where Los Angeles is most vulnerable. The Dodgers bullpen, namely Ronald Belisario, Jonathan Broxton, and Ramon Troncoso, have been overworked, and there is a chance that the 'pen will run out of gas in August and September.

Meanwhile, the 2009 Giants have the best chemistry of any Giants team since 2002, the team that went to the World Series. Thanks to the infectious energy of guys like Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Pablo Sandoval, Nate Schierholtz, and Travis Ishikawa, along with the steady leadership of veterans Edgar Renteria, Randy Johnson, Bengie Molina, and Rich Aurilia, the Giants have a terrific rapport.

I will be in San Francisco in August, attending all three Giants-Dodgers games at AT&T Park from August 10 to August 12. My hope is that those three games will play a major role in who wins the division. Go Giants!!!

3. Will Baseball Remain Exciting in Florida?

The Tampa Bay Rays and Florida Marlins, despite significant financial disadvantages, both remain in the playoff race. At the break, Joe Maddon's Rays are in third place in the highly competitive Al East, 6.5 games back of the first-place Red Sox and 3.5 back of the Yankees in the Wild card standings. Fredi Gonzalez' Marlins sit four games back of the Phillies in the NL East, and four games back of San Francisco in the NL Wild Card. Both Florida teams have a vast array of spectacular young talent. The Rays have Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton, Carlos Pena, Carl Crawford, James Shields, and David Price. The Marlins have Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, Jeremy Hermida, Chris Volstad, and Josh Johnson. Both teams are fun to watch, but will either team be playing in October?

The answer is yes for the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays may be young, but they are also battle-tested. The reigning American League champions will not be afraid of playing in big games down the stretch. The Red Sox and Yankees will beat each other up for the division title, and the Rays will sneak in the back door and take the Wild Card. The Marlins, on the other hand, will fall a little short. They've got a good thing going in South Beach, but they won't be able to catch the Phillies.

But no matter what happens to the Rays and Marlins, whether they make the playoffs or not, they deserve increased fan support from Floridians. The Sunshine State has a history of being apathetic toward our national past time, and that is a shame. Because they are missing out on some tremendously exciting baseball.

Jonathan Sanchez throws a no-hitter in San Francisco!

I'm not even going to try to be impartial on this one. As a diehard Giants fan, here are my thoughts on Jonathan Sanchez's spectacular no-hitter tonight against the Padres:

---What an awesome night to be a Giants fan! Sanchez's no-no is the first San Francisco Giants no-hitter in 33 years, when John "The Count" Montefusco no-hit the Atlanta Braves on September 29, 1976.

---This is also a tremendous underdog story. Jonathan Sanchez had been struggling mightily in the Giants rotation this season, having lost four consecutive decisions and losing his spot in the rotation. But in the wake of Randy Johnson's injury, the Giants needed a spot starter tonight against the Padres, and Bruce Bochy called on Sanchez.

---GM Brian Sabean had been involving Sanchez in trade talks, but I think it's pretty safe to say that his spot in the rotation is safe for a while after the no-no.

---Am I biased? Yes. But Jonathan Sanchez's no-hitter is further evidence that the Giants have the best pitching in baseball. Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Barry Zito, Randy Johnson, Jonathan Sanchez, Ryan Sadowski, Jeremy Affeldt, Justin Miller, Merkin Valdez, Bob Howry, Brian Wilson...........the list goes on and on.

---Even a Dodger fan had to be moved by Sanchez's embrace with his father after the game. His father had just flown in from Puerto Rico to see his son pitch for the very first time. What a story.

---The only thing keeping the no-hitter from being a perfect game was Juan Uribe's error in the bottom of the eighth. It was a truly flawless performance from Sanchez: 110 pitches, 0 walks, o hits, 11 strikeouts. What an awesome performance.

---As unbelievable as Sanchez was, he should give a special thanks to center fielder Aaron Rowand. With one out in the top of the ninth, and with 30,298 Giants fans on their feet at AT&T Park, the Padres' Edgar Gonzalez sent a fly ball into deep center. Off the bat, it looked like the no-hitter was going to come to an end, but Rowand made a sensational leaping catch to keep the no-hitter alive.

---Duane Kuiper and Jon Miller both made phenomenal calls of the no-hitter. More proof that the Giants have the best broadcasting team in baseball.

---Congratulations Jonathan Sanchez! Thanks for providing the most exciting baseball moment of 2009! Go Giants!

King James Acting Like a Prince: LeBron's petulant offseason continues

Have LeBron James and Kobe Bryant swapped places? Prior to the 2009 NBA offseason, the common assumption was that King James was the best, most mature player in basketball, a freakish athlete who also happens to be a superb role model. Prior to the 2009 NBA offseason, Kobe Bryant was viewed by many as an incredibly talented player who also happens to be a selfish jerk. Flash forward a month or so and the tables have turned. Kobe is fresh off his fourth NBA championship, playing in a NBA Finals in which he was more of a team player than boll hog. Bryant's uncharacteristic performance in the Finals went a long way in making people forget about his despicable offseason rants a couple of years ago in which he unleashed an all-out verbal assault via the internet toward his teammate Andrew Bynum. I maintain the belief that Kobe showed his true colors in that online rant, but even a Laker hater and Kobe critic like myself was impressed by his unselfish play in the Finals. Meanwhile, LeBron's reputation continues to take a nosedive. Now, Kobe need not worry about his immature past. Because King James has overtaken the throne when it comes to offseason petulance.

First, there was the incident after Game 6 against the Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals when LeBron refused to shake hands with the Orlando players and refused to talk to the media after his Cavs were eliminated. That did not reflect well on LeBron, but many, including myself, simply chalked it up to the understandable frustration of losing. But the regrettable antics did not stop there. Last month, while shopping in New York City, LeBron was spotted wearing a shirt that read, "LBJ. MVP" in big, bold letters. Once again, LeBron was ripped by the media, criticized for such an unnecessary, boastful display of self-promotion. But those two incidents were nothing compared to what would transpire next. Ladies and gentleman, say hello to our newest sports scandal: Dunkgate.

This past week at LeBron James' basketball camp in Akron, Ohio, King James reached a new low. During a pickup game, Xavier University guard Jordan Crawford finished off a fastbreak by dunking over none other than the King himself. It was a reportedly electrifying moment, undoubtedly the most exciting moment of Crawford's life. Yet don't expect to see any footage of the dunk any time soon, as Nike, apparently at the behest of James, immediately confiscated all evidence of the dunk. After all, LeBron James takes major pride in being the best player in the NBA, and there is no way in hell he was about to let the world see him get dunked on by an unknown college player. What LeBron failed to realize is that by confiscating the tapes, he only makes himself look even worse. By denying the world a chance to see the dunk, LeBron comes across as egotistical, overly self-conscious, and terribly insecure. If LeBron had laughed the incident off and released the video of Crawford's dunk, nobody would have made anything of it. Sure, it would been a great moment for Jordan Crawford and a moment of mild humiliation for LeBron, but the incident would be quickly forgotten. Now, thanks to LeBron's shocking insecurity, Crawford's dunk has got the world talking, and LeBron's lack of maturity is at the forefront of sports discussion.

Okay, maybe I'm being a little too harsh. After all, I still love LeBron. He is the best player in basketball, and I still think he is more mature than he has shown over the past couple of weeks. However, as the offseason progresses, LeBron continues to test my patience. His obsession with reaching global icon status is causing him to make decisions that are counterproductive and downright stupid. LeBron is still the King, but if this unfortunate behavior persists, he will no longer be worthy of the title of royalty.

Random Observations: Baseball Edition

The All-Star Break is fast approaching, and there are plenty of storylines to watch in Major League Baseball. So in the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots on our national past time:

---Manny is back, and so is his temper. Ramirez nearly got himself tossed in San Diego on Saturday after screaming at umpire Sam Holbrook after a close call at first base, and yesterday in New York he did get himself ejected after he threw his elbow bad toward home plate umpire John Hirschbeck. In the case of the Hirschbeck incident, Manny had a right to be upset at the call. But his explosions of anger have been laughably lame. Manny is clearly trying way too hard to prove that he really cares.

---After losing to the hated blue 8-0, can the government bail out the Mets?

---Jerry Manuel's team has looked sloppier than a Carl's Jr. double cheeseburger in the field this season. Somebody needs to tell the Mets that they are in the midst of an important baseball season and are not supposed to be filming footage for a blooper reel.

---Vote for Pablo! Vote for Pablo! Vote for Pablo!

---Pablo Sandoval sure has an awesome sense of timing. A day after being named a candidate in the All-Star Final Vote, Sandoval belted his first career grand slam at AT&T Park to help lead the Giants to victory over the Marlins. You gotta love the Kung Fu Panda!

---Randy J0hnson was placed on the disabled list this week after suffering a shoulder sprain in Sunday's start against the Astros. Hopefully, the Big Unit will make a speedy recovery back into the San Francisco rotation, as he is a very important part of the Giants pitching staff. However, I'm not that worried. It doesn't appear to be a severe injury, and my Giants have more than enough pitching to continue to win games. Everybody knows about Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, but here's another name to remember: Ryan Sadowski. The Big Sadowski is 2-0 with a 0.00 E.R.A. in his first two stars in the major leagues. He goes again today as the Giants look to sweep away the Marlins. Go Giants!

---The beauty of baseball is that teams have a chance to redeem themselves immediately in the aftermath of a painful loss. Case in point: The Cincinnati Reds. After getting embarrassed by the Phillies 22-1 on Monday night, Dusty Baker's team bounced right back the next day and beat the Phillies.

---Call me crazy, but I would much rather lose 22-1 than lose 4-3 on a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth. Blown saves are much harder to swallow than blowouts.

---Great news for Cubs fans: Derrek Lee appears to be the Derrek Lee of old. The slugging first baseman is once again putting up huge numbers, keeping the Cubs in the hunt in the wide-open NL Central.

---Ryan Braun, just keep quiet. The Brewers' All-Star left fielder created quite a stir this week as he publicly criticized his team's pitching staff. This angered GM Doug Melvin, and was a major distraction for the slumping Brewers. Does Braun have a right to be frustrated? Absolutely. But expressing his frustration in such a blatantly public manner is simply classless.

---Chien-Ming Wang is injured. Yankees fans are celebrating.

---Sorry, but Wang has been god-awful on the mound this year. If I were a Yankees fan, I wouldn't be too worried about Wang's injury.

---If I were the Boston Red Sox, I'd be a little concerned about their slim margin over the Yankees. The Red Sox have dominated the Yankees in head-to-head contests this season, winning all eight games against their ancient rivals, yet they only have a one game division lead over New York. The Red Sox should be worried, and the Yankees should be thanking their lucky stars.

---Kudos to the Red Sox fans for giving Nomar Garciaparra a well-deserved standing ovation in Nomar's long-awaited return to Fenway Park. It's been six years since Garciaparra donned a Red Sox uniform, and in that time he has played with the Cubs, Dodgers, and now the A's, but he will forever be remembered as one of the all-time great shortstops in Red Sox history. Sox fans, a passionate and knowledgeable lot, should be applauded for giving Nomar such a classy and gracious welcome.

---Garciaparra came up with Boston in the era of great shortstops, competing with Derek Jeter in New York, Alex Rodriguez in Texas, Miguel Tejada in Oakland, and Omar Vizquel in Cleveland. In a group that impressive, it is easy to get overshadowed, but Garciaparra was every bit as good as his counterparts. In the wake of two Red Sox World Series championships since Nomar's departure, many forget that Garciaparra was once the face of Boston sports.

---Rumor has it that the Toronto Blue Jays are looking to trade Roy Halladay. Halladay, one of the very best pitchers in the game, would be a great fit on anybody's team. On "ESPN First Take" this morning, Skip Bayless suggested that Halladay may be traded to either the Yankees or Red Sox. If GM J.P. Ricciardi does indeed send Hallday to Boston or New York, it would be one of the dumbest front-office decisions in baseball history. Halladay would make the Yankees or Red Sox the instant favorites to win the World Series, and Ricciardi would be crazy to assist his division rivals in such a big way.

Federer, Roddick, Sandoval, and random observations on the wonderful world of sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---I need a nap. After watching every shot of the exhilarating Wimbledon final between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick, a final that featured a fifth set with a staggering thirty games, I am exhausted. Sunday's epic battle at the All-England Club was every bit as good as last year's classic final between Federer and Rafael Nadal, and with his win, Federer surpassed Pete Sampras on the all-time list, winning his fifteenth grand slam title.

---With tennis greats Sampras, Bjorn Borg, Rod Laver, and Manolo Santana watching from the stands, Federer persevered in an incredible display of endurance. Comparing players from different eras is always difficult, especially in tennis, a game in which one's game changes depending on the surface. But on Sunday, Federer strengthened his argument for being the greatest player of all-time. Federer's sixth Wimbledon championship is his most impressive. Andy Roddick was at the top of his game, yet Federer still managed to battle his way to victory. What a spectacular champion.

---Those who say that there are no such things as moral victories may have to reconsider after witnessing the play of Andy Roddick on Sunday. Roddick played a phenomenal match, unleashing one of the most efficient, dominating service performances I have ever seen. This defeat is undoubtedly the most heartbreaking of his career, but Roddick grew as a player on Sunday. His time as a Wimbledon champion will soon come, and Roddick will be a top contender at next month's U.S. Open.

---Congratulations to your 2009 Women's Wimbledon Champion Serena Williams. Williams finally found a way a way to beat her big sister, adding another chapter to the always intriguing Venus-Serena rivalry.

---Let's hope that following three straight years of electrifying excitement at Wimbledon, tennis will receive the attention that it so richly deserves here in the United States.

---The 2009 MLB All-Star Lineups were announced on Sunday, and the fans got it mostly right. There were, however, some notable snubs. I love Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, and being in Yankee Stadium last year when Hamilton belted 26 gargantuan big flys in the Home Run Derby is to this day one of the greatest experiences I have ever had as a sports fan. However, the tattooed slugger does not deserve to be an All-Star starter this season. Hamilton has been plagued with injury this season, batting a weak .240 with 6 home runs in only 35 games. Call me crazy, but I think a guy has to play on a consistent basis in order to be an All-Star starter.

---On the National League side of things, I think the fans got it wrong in their selection of Mets third baseman David Wright to be the starter. Wright is a tremendous player, batting an impressive .326 with 42 RBI through 80 games. But there is another third baseman with even greater credentials, and that player is the Giants' Pablo Sandoval. Granted, I'm extremely biased, but let's just look at the numbers. Wright is batting .326; Sandoval is batting .333. Wright has 42 RBI; Sandoval has 44. Wright is having a down year when it comes to power with 4 home runs; Sandoval has 12 homers. The Mets are struggling, while the Giants are in the thick of the playoff race, thanks in large part to Sandoval's play. In this case, the numbers don't lie. Pablo Sandoval deserves to be an All-Star!

---Fortunately, Sandoval still has a chance to make the trip to St. Louis for the Midsummer Classic, as he is one of five NL candidates in Major League Baseball's Final Vote, alongside Matt Kemp of the Dodgers, Shane Victorino of the Phillies, Cristian Guzman of the Nationals, and Mark Reynolds of the Diamondbacks. Make the right choice, America. Vote for Kung Fu Panda!

---Sandoval isn't the only Giant that got snubbed. Closer Brian Wilson deserves a spot on the all-star roster as well.

---However, I'm thrilled that Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain made the All-Star team. They are the leaders of the best pitching staff in baseball, and I'd be ecstatic if either one started the All-Star Game. Go Giants!

---The free agency portion of the NBA offseason continues to have a lot of activity. In the last couple of days, Hedo Turkoglu chose Toronto over Portland and signed with the Raptors, Rasheed Wallace agreed to sign with the Celtics, and Jason Kidd vowed to re-sign with the Mavericks.

---Sheed to Boston is great news for the Celtics, giving Doc River's team an outstanding perimeter shooter and fierce competitor. In the wide-open Eastern Conference, Boston has as good a shot as anybody next season. On the other hand, the loss of Hedo to the Raptors is terrible news for the Orlando Magic. The acquisition of Vince Carter does not make up for the loss of one of the game's best clutch performers. Turkoglu was Stan Van Gundy's go-to guy at the end of games, and he was a big reason why the Magic won the East. The Toronto Raptors should be thanking their lucky stars that the Magic were dumb enough to let Turkoglu slip away.

---On the same day that Roger Federer won at Wimbledon, his good buddy Tiger Woods won his very own tournament in Bethesda, Maryland, holding off challengers Anthony Kim and Hunter Mahan. It was a great win for Tiger, and hopefully he'll carry some momentum to next month's British Open at Turnberry.

---I'll end on a very sad note: Steve McNair, the three-time pro-bowl quarterback for the Houston Oilers, Tennessee Titans, and Baltimore Ravens, passed away at the age of 36 after he was shot multiple times in what was an apparent homicide. Air McNair was a gritty, supremely talented football player who personified toughness and leadership. He will be sorely missed.

Manny, Artest, Venus and Serena, and random observations on the wonderful world of sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Back from a week-long vacation in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and there were several sports-related elements to my trip.

---On Wednesday I made my first-ever trip to Dodger Stadium and saw the hated blue defeat the Colorado Rockies 1-0 on a Rafael Furcal pinch-hit RBI single. I hate everything about the Dodgers, but I was impressed with the ballpark. Great location, nice stadium, but it's still no AT&T Park!

---Much to my delight, sitting next to me at the Dodger game on a beautiful Southern California afternoon was a fellow Giants fan. We talked about our shared passion for the orange and black and our shared hatred for the Dodgers. Go Giants and Beat L.A.!

---Speaking of the Dodgers, Manny Ramirez is back. Here's hoping he ruins team chemistry!

---Great article by SF Chronicle sports columnist Bruce Jenkins on his Three Dot Blog on the hypocrisy of Dodger announcer Charley Steiner and Yankee announcer Michael Kay when it comes to the steroid era. Throughout Barry Bonds' career as a Giant, Kay and Steiner criticized the great Giants broadcasters Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow for their passionate, joyous calls of Bonds' home runs. Yet Michael Kay goes crazy for every Alex Rodriguez home run and Steiner is bound to go nuts every time Manny leaves the yard. Stay classy, Mr. Kay and Mr. Steiner.


---I also had the opportunity to visit the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Sitting inside the Rose Bowl was an awesome, surreal experience. The place just oozes tradition and I could hear Keith Jackson utter the words, "the granddaddy of them all!"

---Quick note on the Staples Center: There is absolutely no evidence that the Clippers play there. No matter what Mike Dunleavy and Donald Sterling do, no matter how big of a star Blake Griffin turns out to be, the Clippers will always live in the shadow of the Lakers in Los Angeles.

---On that note, Ron Artest is headed to the Lakers. Ouch. Sadly, this is a great move by Mitch Kupchak that makes the defending champs even better. Now that he's a Laker, I will no longer root for Artest, but I'm still a big fan of his game. Artest is one of the most tenacious, passionate, and exciting players in the NBA.

---And while in Vegas, I had a pretty cool near-brush with fame with Pete Rose at Caesar's Palace. Rose was signing autographs in a baseball card store and I was standing about ten feet away from him. Not especially exciting, but it was surreal nonetheless to be standing within close proximity to one of the greatest hitters the game of baseball has ever seen.

---As we approach the MLB All-Star Break, look for two teams to start heading in opposite directions in the AL East. Joe Maddon's Tampa Bay Rays are starting to put it all together. David Price is beginning to realize his unbelievable potential on the mound, and if Carl Crawford, B.J. Upton, and Evan Longoria set the tone at the plate, the Rays will make a run at the Red Sox and Yankees. The same cannot be said of Cito Gaston's Toronto Blue Jays. If Roy Halladay stays healthy, the Jays will avoid total collapse, but it will be a familiar summer of mediocrity for J.P. Ricciardi's franchise, and they will once again finish well out of the playoff picture.

---The Wimbledon finals are set, and they will be absolutely tremendous. The Williams sisters finale will be a fiercely competitive display of intense sisterly competition, and I think this is the year that Serena finally bests Venus. On the men's side, Roger Federer seeks to further solidify his illustrious legacy with a win over Andy Roddick. But Roddick, coming off a surprising upset of Britain's own Andy Murray, looks to bring a rare Wimbledon championship to the United States. My money is on Federer, but I would love to see Roddick pull off the shocker.

---I am pulling for Roddick, but I have one request: Can he cut it out with all these childish pouts at the officials. It was entertaining at first, now it's just tired.

---What a terrible week for the Houston Rockets. First, they learn that Yao Ming could be out for all of next season. Then they lose Ron Artest to L.A. Yikes. The only bright side for Houston is the acquisition of Trevor Ariza. Ariza is a solid role player that will put up big numbers in Rick Adleman's system.

---I'll leave with a few thoughts on Michael Vick. Vick committed a heinous act, but he served his time and has shown genuine remorse. He deserves a second chance, and any NFL franchise that picks him up will acquire an excellent quarterback with awesome speed and athleticism.