Call from the Bullpen by David Maull
The Bullpen | Sports Front Page
Plenty to Talk About
at the Watercooler
From the June 4, 1998 TV Times
Random musings on issues that have dominated water cooler discussions in recent weeks:
· The trades that sent catcher Mike Piazza to the Florida Marlins and then to the New York Mets had nothing to do with baseball and everything to do with money.
The Dodgers didn't want to pay Piazza the $100 million he was demanding so they moved him. The Marlins are still slashing payroll as part of their post-World Series fire sale so they dumped all-stars Gary Sheffield, Bobby Bonilla and Charles Johnson and utility man Jim Eisenreich.
The on-field needs of each team were a secondary consideration in the deal.
That's baseball in the 90s, and it's ruining the game.
· Sheffield wins the award for laughable quote of the year with this dandy from a prepared statement issued during his negotiations with the Dodgers over a no-trade clause:
"Whatever the outcome, I hope my fans will support my decision as they provide the passion that drives me."
Believe that and I'll tell you another.
· Ken Griffey Jr. announced he will not participate in the home run hitting contest during all-star festivities at Coors Field in July.
His reasoning was that such contests can damage a player's swing and cause a prolonged slump.
If other players follow suit, the contest's future could be bleak.
A similar lack of stars helped kill the NBA's slam dunk contest.
· The Best Buddies For Life Award goes to Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers Jeff Tabaka and Marc Wilkins.
On May 24, the two were in the lobby of their hotel in Milwaukee when an argument ensued over a game of cards.
Wilkins allegedly punched his teammate, breaking Tabaka's jaw and putting him on the disabled list.
Interesting footnote: the two pitchers share an apartment in suburban Pittsburgh during the season.
· Here's hoping the Oakland Athletics selected outfielder J.D Drew in the major league draft, which was June 2 (and after press time).
If Drew thinks he was lowballed by the Phillies after they selected him in the first round of 1997 draft, then he's really in for a treat with the small-market A's.
The Phillies lost his rights after refusing to give in to his ridiculous demand for an $11 million contract. Him getting that type of money from Oakland is about as likely as Armando Benitez and Tino Martinez getting together for a steak and a beer.
Drew will then have to decide whether to accept less money from the A's or pursue a lengthy court battle that could grant him free agency but stall a promising career.
· The Los Angeles Lakers probably would have fared much better in the Western Conference finals against the Utah Jazz if they had concentrated more on basketball and less on the perceived injustices doled out by the officials.
Each day, it was either Nick Van Exel or Shaquille O'Neal whining about John Stockton's or Karl Malone's alleged dirty tactics.
Warranted or not, the complaints can't overshadow the fact that the Lakers schooled by a team that could write a textbook on teamwork and execution. The Lakers have too many stars who want to sink the big shot and grab all the glory.
· If Kobe Bryant is going to be the next Michael Jordan, he first must do one thing: start.
· From the theater of the absurd: Latrell Sprewell has filed a $30 million lawsuit against the NBA and the Golden State Warriors, seeking lost wages from his suspension for attacking coach P.J. Carlesimo.
It has now become sadly obvious that Sprewell still doesn't think he did anything wrong. To him, solving a problem with your coach by choking him was completely justified.
If the Warriors really want to teach Sprewell a lesson, they will forego a trade and keep him on the team. A trade would be a reward, so why not, in the interest of morals, make him play another year for Carlesimo?
P.J. has already said he's willing to give it a try.
Sprewell will certainly float the customary threats to retire. The Warriors should force his hand.
· Speaking of trades, the Washington Wizards should be applauded for shipping problem child Chris Webber to the Sacramento Kings, the most anonymous team in the NBA.
Maybe dwelling in no-man's land for a few years will help him put his life and career in perspective.
Meanwhile, look for Mitch Richmond to lead the Wizards back into the playoffs next year.
· The Washington Capitals have made a nice run to the NHL Eastern Conference finals but the main question is this: Does anybody care?
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