Guillen Embargo

Miami Marlins skipper was suspended 5 games for seemingly pro-Fidel Castro remarks.

Unfortunately for Ozzie Guillen, the Castro he seemed to be praising in his Time Magazine article wasn't Starlin. Guillen was suspended by the Miami Marlins for 5 games after raising the ire in the Miami community and probably other places as well for complimenting Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. Fine cigars aside, the Cuban dictator has reigned over his people for generations.

Guillen referenced that his 'admiration' stemmed more from Castro's ability to remain in power with everyone essentially hating him. Now, that's easier to do as a dictator than say manager of the Miami Marlins, but here's the thing Ozzie Guillen is a loudmouth. Everyone knows this, and he is known for it. I can see where his comments are stemming from. Partially in jest that, hey here's a guy everyone dislikes, dictators are getting overthrown all over the world; but this old guy whose smoked more cigars than the entirety of Mahogany combined, has failing health, and let's face it...if I said to you that we're overthrowing a dictator who would you choose? Egypt? Iran? The guy has the odds against him.

The biggest goof of the whole situation is that Guillen made these comments as the skipper of the most pro-Latino baseball team ever, the Miami Marlins. Everything the Marlins rebranded themselves as was pro Miami, pro the culture, pro the people there. For Guillen to reference a man so many people in that community have not only ill feelings towards, but probably directly or tangentially experienced what living under Castro was the extra fire to overcook everyone's ropa vieja.

Seemingly without intent Guillen mixed together sports, politics, and culture into one innocuous set of statements that sent his new employers scrambling for damage control. One of the new faces of the Miami franchise had taken a step towards insulting the large fan base the Marlins were hoping to bring into their flashy new stadium. To see their flashy new players. And to be a part of a cultural atmosphere in South Beach. The Heat may wear 'El Heat' on their jerseys some nights, but the Marlins were the main team reaching out to the Latino fans. They had Brazilian dancers escort players to the field on opening night for crying out loud.

The team had to act swiftly and put on the big production they did on Tuesday. Guillen should have known better, but the Marlins should have a Guillen Emergency Plan in a safe behind a painting of Ernesto Lecuona for all of the dust ups he will have in his time as Marlins skipper. I'm sure no one in the Marlins organization could imagine even Guillen could do this in such a short span of time, but now they know they're in the Ozzie Guillen business.

TUF Missing Out

The fight and show that put UFC on the map.

Fifteen years ago, the Ultimate Fighting Championship was barely removed from Tank Abbott and Royce Gracie fighting a guy with one bare hand and one boxing glove that resembled more of a Street Fighter character than an elite athlete. Dana White still had some hair and wore a tie for God's sake! The perception of what the sport of MMA was along with getting little attention and enthusiasm from fans all changed after Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonner went to battle for the first winner of the UFC's reality show, The Ultimate Fighter.

Now, this reality show finale was a little bloodier than Kelly Clarkson vs. Justin Guarini, but the impact it had was comparable. The UFC saw it's biggest ratings to date, and used that excitement to spring board to the fastest growing sport in the US.

Stick with the Bic, Dana.

So clearly, this show is important and even a tad sentimental to the UFC brass. It has produced more talent than any reality show ever with multiple champions, top contenders, and every day fighters that are still in the organization today and incorporate new TUF fighters every year. The show has, without a doubt, been a success.

Recently TUF has struggled to meet the ratings success of previous years. For better or worse the format has remained the same, or as some critics say stagnant. The talent hasn't been up to snuff with previous years, which is sort of to be expected. With the UFC bigger than ever, anyone that's anyone wants to be in the UFC already. Top quality guys will just sign outright without passing through TUF. It's reached a point where it's tough to envision a future champ ever coming through the TUF ranks. Ryan Bader is the last winner that might have a shot, but he's had some setbacks and looks to settle in as more of a borderline top 10 light heavyweight.

There are people that still watch TUF and even less people that care what the ratings are, but facts are facts and TUF is not performing as it should. Now, as TUF transitioned from Spike to FX, the ratings were already dropping steadily, Kimbo Slice season aside, so to expect a network change to a Friday night format to suddenly jump start a fledgling show is sort of like expecting the Teutuls to start assembling IKEA furniture instead of choppers for ratings points.

However, the first truly significant format change took place this season. The fights, all of which used to be pre-recorded months ago (aside from the televised live finale) would now be live. Live fights, real-time in a quick paced show. This is a great idea. There are even more people in attendance of the fights to remove the eerie silence that used to take place during early fights. Just the slapping sound of punches and kicks connecting, deep breaths of fighters, and feet sliding on canvas provide a more visceral feel to the fights, but do take away from the excitement of it.

Will there be another contender from TUF?

The format upped the shows pace and intensity, and the quailty of fights (...meaning finishes) has been great. There is just a natural energy that comes from a live fight over a pre-recorded bout. There are no chills or thrills, just the knowledge that you're watching the eventuality of an outcome that happened months ago. It's why all worthwhile sporting events are live, why awards shows are live. It's about the anticipation and the excitement.

Updating the format has made the show much more enjoyable. Sadly, the Friday night time slot does not help it's cause. I watch the show, but only on DVR over the weekend. I do wonder how many people haven't even given the new TUF Live an opportunity to entertain them. It is interesting, and with more focus on the fights and fighters than general antics in the house, the show runs like more of the UFC's excellent Countdown series than a simple reality show.

There is an interest in seeing how these potential future UFC stars act, but most people turning into TUF are there for the fights, the training, and the aspects of being a professional MMA fighter that draw them to the sport in the first place. With the UFC and Fox relationship just starting, I doubt anyone will panic over "only" pulling in a million viewers on FX on a Friday night, but the new format is a positive. Don't let the lower ratings make you think otherwise.

Diving the Depths: Fantasy Baseball Value

That's the look of a man that got some good draft day value!

The key to fantasy sports is one thing: value. Where you draft a player compared to what they're output is during the season. If every player you picked lived up to their o-rank or ADP (average draft position) fantasy sports would be rather dull. Instead, the keys to victory come from where true value lies. Taking Ryan Braun #3 overall last year and having him finish around there is all well and good, but if you can draft Matt Kemp or Curtis Granderson at their respective o-ranks last year and get a top 10 player, then sir, you are in the driver's seat to fantasy glory.

There are a couple of players I like to make leaps this year, and perhaps I'll get to them, but I wanted to start with compiling a team of players that should out perform their ADP and are currently available in more than half of Yahoo! public leagues.

C - Ryan Doumit, MIN (16% owned)

Doumit recently signed in Minnesota after some up and down years in the Steel City. The good news is that catching isn't Doumit's strong suit, but he is eligible there. The Twins have over $100M invested in their everyday starting catcher Joe Mauer, and they expect to play him there most of the time. Doumit is positioned nicely as DH or corner outfield. The currently healthy Justin Morneau may start snagging some at bats at DH due to his lingering (and I mean lingering) concussion issues, but the Twins still plan on having Doumit in the line-up everyday. The league is new and the ballpark is big, but getting a player that's in the line-up card everyday at catcher is a big value. Also, not for nothing, Doumit has shown he can rake at a high average if he gets the playing time.

1B - John Mayberry, PHI (20% owned)

Opportunity is knocking for Mayberry.

With the injuries and age that are plaguing the 2012 Phillies, there will be spots available. What Mayberry does to earn playing time is being position flexible (he also plays OF), being a right handed bat (valuable in the Phils line-up), and also bringing the kind of power that can serve as an adequate replacement until Ryan Howard returns from injury. Often underutilized by Charlie Manual, Mayberry can show flashes of his first round talent, but overexposure could be his downfall. The potential is there, and in a league where 20 HR power is a valuable commodity, Mayberry could solidify an everday gig with a strong performance in the first couple of months.

2B - Allen Craig, STL (25% owned)

If there is a fantasy downside to winning a championship, it's inflated draft day prices the following year. David Freese is the most obvious case for the defending World Series champs, and while Freese's inflation might be a tad overblown, Craig has not seen a similar rise. That's a good thing. Craig registered a 1.013 OPS in October last year, and while power out of 2B is rare and a treat, Craig also hits for average and can swipe double digit bags. He is injured but on track to be ready right around opening day.

Alvarez looking to start producing.

3B - Pick a fallen star (9% and below)

Third base is a tricky position. Generally regarded as shallow in fantasy formats, if you look far enough down the list there is a multitude of former or should have been mega stars that just never panned out. The list is vast, and depending on the situation there's a chance some of these guys could come through. Pedro Alvarez, Ian Stewart, Chris Davis, Casey McGeehee, Chone Figgins, and Wilson Betemit are all players looking to get to where their career should be.

SS - Zack Cozart, CIN (25%)

The talented Cozart came out firing in his first 37 plate appearances. The 26-year-old batted .324 in a potent Reds line-up. His first big league taste would end after 11 games due to a wrist injury that put him out for the year. While wrist injuries and hitters are scary, Cozart answered the bell this spring going 9-for-12 over a 5 game stretch. He should play everyday and depending where he falls in the musical chairs line-up between Drew Stubbs and Brandon Phillips should be good for him.

OF - Lorenzo Cain, KC (38%), Chris Heisey, CIN (36%), Brandon Belt, SF (46%)

Of all of these players, Cain is the only one that was able to secure status as an everyday player during Spring Training. Cain will lead off with 10 HR/20 steal potential, and getting on base in front of the suddenly productive KC line-up could equate to near 100 runs scored. Hey, it happened to Melky Cabrera.

Heisey is subject to manager Dusty Baker's whims on his playing time, and while Belt is the Giants top prospect, he can't sniff the majors due to a log jam at 1B and corner OF. Injuries or lack of production by some Giants could open a spot for Belt, but after destroying AAA Belt needs to keep his development going in the majors ASAP.

Peavy needs to stay healthy.

SP - Mike Minor, ATL (46%), Erik Bedard, PIT (39%), Jake Peavy, CWS (22%)

I am being a little coy with these offerings as my dynasty league is pitching heavy, and therefore, I am used to delving the James Cameron like depths of the pitching pool for value. So, I don't want to go too far with the info I'm putting out. But what we have is a nice tasting menu of what value from an SP looks like. We have the fresh new rookie on the market, Mike Minor. Highly rated in his own right along side Brandon Beachy, Randall Delgado, and Julio Tehran in the Bravo's stable of young arms. Erik Bedard is still a K per inning guy, it's just that he's injured so much it's hard to throw that many innings. Another move to another low pressure locale should suit him nicely. Maybe Primanti Bros is good for a sore shoulder. And last is former Cy Young winner Jake Peavy. He too has had a multitude of injuries since his hey day. He comes into the season healthy and although he had a rough spring maybe can turn it around once the games start counting.


RP - Brett Myers, HOU (46%), Greg Holland, KC (38%)

Don't pay for saves has become more and more popular over the years. When I first started playing fantasy, I'd take 2 closers in the first 6 rounds because their perceived value is greater than what it actually is. Some myths: there's only 1 closer per team, they are consistent, they rack up stats in Saves, WHIP, and ERA. Closers in fact are extremely volatile. Some of the greatest closers in fantasy history haven't just regressed, they've been pushed off a steep cliff and painfully bounced all the way down. So unless you're Mariano Rivera, no closer is untouchable. Segue to the two closers I have highlighted. Two top closers have already been lost for the season due to Tommy John surgery. One, Ryan Madson of the Reds has been replaced most likely by Sean Marshall (63% owned) and the other is Joakim Soria who will be replaced by Greg Holland, Jonathon Broxton, or Aaron Crow. My money is on Holland as he's already closer of the future material and Broxton has looked just eh, OK this spring. Myers was just announced the everyday closer because Houston basically doesn't care about baseball anymore, but hey, saves are saves.

There is value there. There always is. Stay vigilant on the waiver wire, don't get stuck on people's names, but also be sure to make the distinction between adding a player on a hot streak and one that can actually sustain his production. It's all about value.

NCAA March Madness 2012

Much like St. Patty's Day when everyone is Irish; everyone is an NCAA basketball fan in March.

Perhaps the greatest tournament we have here in the United States of America is underway. No singular tournament sporting event captures the minds of more Americans than the NCAA Tournament. 

Now, in a world where every game is available on television or the Internet, March Madness has become something casual or even non-college basketball fans can get into. The lure is that it's a sports sauce that has been reduced to only the most flavorful and intense parts.

There are no long seasons or need to necessarily root for only one team. The colleges are from all different conferences seeded and put up against each other in a single elimination tournament. Upsets and Cinderella stories are what the early round of the tournament is known for. As the teams push further towards the championship you get great games and memorable buzzer beater finishes. This is a tournament played by a group of college athletes that will give their all. There are no overpaid players here, not yet anyway. It's a pure form of competition and pride put on display at the highest amateur level. 

Take all of that excitement and thrill that the sport is provides and mix in the underlying of gambling on games for a month straight and now you have opened things up to a whole to gamut of people. March Madness offers everyone something to sink their teeth into. It rushes in with Selection Sunday, and within a month a true NCAA champ is crowned. No BCS or arguments, just pure sport on the court. 

This is by far the least I've followed college basketball in a long time, which means absolutely nothing when filling out a bracket (in fact, it probably helps), but I do like Kentucky with all their talent they have on offense and defense. I also think Missouri is strong and look for Kansas, Syracuse, and Louisville to fall early because they usually do.

It'll be a great tournament because it always is. Good luck on your brackets.

The Dude Abides

Nails had his issues even back in his playing days.

I went to Phillies games all of my life. I'm 28, but I've seen Steve Carlton pitch and Mike Schmidt hit a homerun. Granted, I can say those things however when it comes to memories from my childhood they are rather faded. The first athlete I had a bit of idolatry towards was Lenny Dykstra. The Dude. Nails.

He was a Philly type of player, which is saying a lot since he came from the New York Mets. With his big wad of chew and bulging forearms, it was easy to jump on the Nails bandwagon. He led those guys on Macho Row in 1993 to the World Series, and although it ended about as badly as possible, he had entrenched himself into Philadelphia sports lore.

One of the memories I have that best encapsulates that childhood/hero worship mentality was I was at a Phillies game with my dad. Dykstra was hurt, and in an age where the last news update you heard was in the morning paper, I assumed the Dude would still be out for this game. As the Phillies PA announcer went through the line-up he said, "Leading off, #4 Lenny DYKSTRA!" I turned to my dad and my dad turned to me with a wow expression on our faces. I was happy the Dude was in the line-up, and I'd get to see him play. It's moments like that where you realize an impact a player can have on a young person's life. When all you know is the player on the field. What he does in a baseball uniform is all that matters. It's a fleeting feeling that as a 28 year old, you don't get anymore. With Twitter and ESPN who knows if any kid can get that feeling anymore.

The reasons athletes are role models or icons to a kid is obvious. The ability, the memories, the money are all integral to making a kid want to grow up and be like someone. While I can say I did want to play for the Phillies growing up, I never truly wanted to be Lenny Dykstra, but he was that idea I had for what a baseball player is.

My childhood idea of what being a baseball player would be like was sentenced to prison on Monday. Dykstra's post baseball career has been even more unpredictable than his playing career. There was Lenny the successful investor, Lenny the millionaire Wall Street mogul, Lenny the entrepreneur, Lenny the racist, Lenny the sexist, Lenny the liar, Lenny the thief, and now Lenny the criminal.

It's disappointing for sure, and throughout the perplexing rise and more understandable downfall of Dykstra, it's just another example of an athlete failing to live up to the unreasonable and truly unnatural expectation of athletes to be role models.

These are people that have just as many issues, problems, and vices as anyone. Only they're in the spotlight and have the means to live as recklessly as they like. Whether it's Lenny Dykstra or fellow Philly athlete fallouts Allen Iverson and Terrell Owens, the fall of sports players is becoming even more frequent and disappointing.

As fans, we shouldn't expect anything other than human fault and error from athletes in their post-playing career, but that doesn't mean it still doesn't leave you with a bitter taste in your mouth. The downfall of a human doesn't soil the memories of your childhood, they merely make you sad that a player you hardly knew, that you held in such reverence could fall so, so far.