5th Street Returns

Nearly a year ago when I first opined in the Back Seat Drivers I called my column the 5th Street based on the (at the time) popular card game known as Texas Holdem Poker. Its the dog days of summer meaning I am tying ice cubes to my body to avoid spontaneous combustion. Sports is a little slow too. NFL training camp hasn't truly heated up yet (Hall of Fame Game in Canton Ohio on August 8th will do that), the MLB pennant race hasn't quite reached the turn and the first keg of the NCAA football hasn't been throw through the window yet. To solve the slow pace of news and fill my column, following William Safire's advice , I decided to use a series of small points to highlight some of the comings and goings that happened in the week of sports.

The Flop (Baseball)
1. All in all I have to say it was a little disappointing for the trading deadline pass with a whimper rather than a bang. Big names were floated (Manny, Soriano, Burnett, Hart) but none changed teams. Nothing against Matt Lawton (who the Cubs purchased from Pittsburgh) or Ron Villone but I highly doubt that those players are the extra bump needed to get over the proverbial hump. Conspiciously absent in the wheeling and dealings were the Yanks, Red Sox, City of Los Angeles, Cardinals (heck even the Mets). Yes the teams most likely to go the World Series stayed pat. I'm not entirely sure of the why. My guess is that top teams had depleted a good deal of their farm systems (see Yanks) and that the small market teams were selling high produced the outcome. Should be interesting though if that pattern continues next year.

2. Speaking of flops Peter Gammons was inducted to the Hall of Fame today. I think its fairly interesting and telling that a man primarily known for his association with ESPN was inducted. Someone can correct me but he would probably represent the first tv analyst in the MLB hall of fame. Yes its a sign of the importance of ESPN in the minds of the hall of fame voters but my question is what are the criteria for a tv analysts like Pete being inducted? Its not like he's a announcer that has decade upon decade of connection to a city or even a national icon, Gammons is just that guy that Sportscenter calls in for rumors, a few comments and dare I say back seat driving when it comes to trades or free agents. Does this mean I could be in line for a Hall of Fame award someday?

3. Remember when I said baseball had some degree of parity? Forget it. Who's the realistic contenders for the playoffs this year....basically the same as last year. Boston and New York fighting over the AL East. Atlanta (btw if Bobby Cox doesn't win manager of the year who does?) still in first. Same with the Angels and the Cardinals. Oakland is duking it out with the AL East for the wild card. Sure the Padres are in first because of Bonds "injury" but does anyone think they're a real threat in the postseason. The ChiSox instead of the Twins is my only significant change. Big whoop.

The Turn
"As a matter of fact" Steven A. Smith's show premiers tonight...any takers? The NY Times article on Steven A. (see above link) was fairly enlightening. Mark Shapiro (executive VP of ESPN) said "People like him and dislike him, but they still watch him. These days, it's hard to find a talent who strikes a chord that way. Polarization is a commodity." And you know what he's right. ESPN values polarization and sensationalism more than actual journalism and insightful analysis and will continue to as long as it gets some sort of ratings exploiting it.

The River
New England lost another steadfast linebacker (Ted Johnson). No team that has lost the Super Bowl has made it to the playoffs the next year over the past 5 yrs or so (things look dire for the Eagles). I think the Bengals might actually breaththrough. Reports out of training camp look like Palmer is looking sharp. Less than 6 weeks until Texas v. Ohio State.