Who knew that Major League Baseball could hit from both sides of the plate? In fact, from my bleacher seat, it looks like Bud Selig has one foot planted on each side of the batter’s box. Or wait, is Bud still stuck in the year 2000? How else would you explain the dichotomy that has […]
What if we said that UA has signed a better player than the Suns will draft? No joke. And that’s no slam on the Suns. Instead, it illustrates that there’s no slam dunk in this year’s NBA Draft. To be kind, the upcoming draft class is underwhelming. In fact, I asked new Suns GM Ryan […]
Until the hiring of Jeff Hornacek, the head coach position wasn’t the only thing missing in the Suns’ organizational structure. The executive conference room was also lacking the perspective of someone who played the game. Yes, former NBA All-Star Jeff Hornacek was hired to coach the Suns. And, to some degree, Hornacek will also be […]
In real-life, the ability to operate “outside the box” is considered a compliment. It’s a trait that’s highly sought-after and well-compensated. In baseball, it’s an illness. And it’s slowly killing the game. In the eyes of the masses, all the time spent outside the batter’s box turns into wasted time. More than ever, that’s time […]
Let’s start with a disclaimer. Namely, my own. As in, here’s the Big Red verdict from a campaign that included a nine-game losing streak. Did the Cardinals need a Pro Bowl quarterback? No. Naturally, every team desires Pro Bowl-caliber play from its QB. But considering the Cardinals featured a stout defense a year ago, an […]
Mark Grace is serving time at Tent City. Specifically, every day from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. But after his arrest on aggravated DUI charges, you know what else Grace is doing with his time? Something worthwhile. “I’m 48 years old. I’m too old for this. My family deserves better,” Grace said from a picnic […]
In baseball terms, it’s a triple play of sorts. With Justin Upton back in town, it’s natural for fans to wonder why the former number one pick had to go J-Up-Up and Away. In hindsight, it helps to follow the trail of responsibility around the horn. A triple play of culpability, if you will. The […]
Did Karlos Dansby see this (home) coming? “I’m coming back out and they’re going to see how much I’ve advanced.” That’s what Dansby said during a conference call with AZ reporters in the week leading up to the Cards game against the Dolphins last season. At the time, it was a game matching up Dansby’s […]
Until last month, I hadn’t been to a tee-ball game in decades. So, it caught my eye right away: the pitcher wearing a batting helmet — on the mound. An odd sight, to be sure. Almost jarring. But, considering (another) terrifying comebacker on Tuesday night, a helmet replacing a pitcher’s cap does something else — […]
While attending the Suns press conference explaining the dismissal of GM Lance Blanks, I put a star next to this quote in my old school reporter notebook: “We’ve got to do things in this offseason that begin to build trust and confidence that we’re headed in the right direction.” Was that Suns president of basketball […]
America’s Pastime has lost something off the ‘ole fast ball. That’s right, two words. As in, baseball has a problem. And it’s not the game itself. Instead, here’s the lament: there simply isn’t enough baseball in baseball. Not anymore. Stepping out of the batter’s box — after every pitch in every at-bat — is not […]
Any chance that the Big Red Rage might have yielded the big clue we’re all searching for? That is, if we’re looking to employ our Draft Doppler and forecast the name the Cardinals will submit for their first round pick? Okay, here we go with our 7-Day Forecast…err, #7-Pick overall. See, during the radio show, […]
There are media members who cover events. And then there are media members who are billed as the event. And let’s just say there’s a reason that Peter King had his name on the Cardinals Pre-Pat’s Run charity event recently. As a longtime NFL insider for Sports Illustrated, Peter King writes. And people read. He […]
“Let’s do it.” That was the response from Larry Fitzgerald when I texted him with an inquiry — any chance he might be available for an edition of our offseason tradition “Five with Fitz” via text message? So, here we go, from cell phone to cell phone to this printed piece of cyberspace… Question 1 […]
Don’t Press Send. Perhaps the D-backs should add Herm Edwards to the roster as a bench coach. Because, in a way, this whole “Treat LA” episode stands as an example of what happens when a sports franchise fails to follow Edwards’ longtime mantra — “Don’t Press Send.” As in, don’t send the team owner to […]
I’d feel a lot better about Tiger Woods if he didn’t feel so good about himself. In fact, the creative department at Calvisi Consulting envisions Eldrick starring in a sort of post-Super Bowl Disneyland commercial. Except, this would be the antonym version. The exact opposite of the ad that annually features the Super Bowl MVP. […]
Not too long ago, Paulie Preschool fulfilled his parental duty and took his turn reading to his daughter’s class during story time. Thursday night, during the Big Red Rage radio show on Arizona Sports 620, it was my turn to listen. And, no doubt, we had some solid inside stories spun by both Arizona Cardinals […]
Right now, there are two things that I just can’t get out of my head. First, that McDonald’s TV commercial. We’ve all seen and heard it. Fishy, Fishy. Second, I can’t rid my mind of how the Suns game ended in Houston. Fishy, Fishy. With the score tied and a game winning shot attempt in […]
By now, I really thought it would wear on me in a good way. Instead, it’s worn me out. Shorts that look like zubaz (circa 1991). Jerseys with sleeves, akin to pajama tops. Circus shorts in need of “The Big Top.” College hoops has put the “mad” into March Madness alright. Uniform designers have gone […]
So, where are the Phoenix Coyotes going next? If we’re talking zip code, then we don’t have a clue. But if we’re talking whether the Coyotes are going to the postseason? How can you not say — “no way.” Right? And that’s not us talking. That’s what the recent roster moves say to everyone, including […]
What did the Arizona Cardinals need last year? A quarterback that did NOT lose games. Yet, after Kevin Kolb went down with injury, what did the Arizona Cardinals have last year? They had multiple quarterbacks who lost multiple games. Single-handedly. As evidence, may we present the following stats? Kevin Kolb – 8 TD, 3 INT. […]
The Suns played to lose. And guess what? They lost 103-88 at Utah. We’re not exactly sure what the pregame whiteboard listed as the “Keys” Wednesday night, but, essentially, all that really needed to be written: “Goran Dragic: DNP-CD = L.” Did not play – coach’s decision. Equals loss. That was the pep talk guaranteed […]
Did NASCAR penalize anyone in any way for the FFF – Fantastic Fontana Finish? Of course not. Not even in the aftermath of a crash, a fight and a broken back. Why not? That’s easy. Over the past few years, NASCAR ratings have been lagging and sagging. Television, ticket sales and corporate sponsorships have all […]
On a recent weekend, I attended a housewarming barbeque for a buddy. And, it should be noted, he’s a bachelor. (This is important because I made the mistake of bothering to shower, wear a presentable shirt, and bring an actual gift purchased by the wife. Geez, what a bonehead move on my part considering not […]
