Off my chest...

There have been a few recent stories in professional sports that have stirred up some feelings inside me (or maybe it's this early Saturday morning coffee). I have to get a few things off my chest.

1. NO INSTANT REPLAY IN BASEBALL. I repeat, NO instant replay in baseball. In case you missed it (and if you're like last night's 3rd base umpire Brian Gorman, you DID miss it) the Brewers lost to the struggling D-backs 5-2 last night. The game was tied 2-2 in the 8th inning when a foul-ball-called-fair turned into a 2-run double giving the Arizona the lead, a lead they'd hold onto for the win. A couple of things - first of all, that call didn't cause the Brewers to lose. Their inability to score through the first 6 innings caused the Brewers to lose. Also their inability to score any runs after the 7th inning caused them to lose. Catch my drift? That call just gave the D-backs two extra runs. And it only takes 1 run to win a game, that run they'd get in an entirely different inning.

Aside from last night's game, though, I think Jason Kendall puts it best. When asked about instant replay in baseball, he said "That's the beauty of baseball. And the pain." YES! Billy Idol gets it, come on people! Baseball is still a pure sport because we haven't taken the human element of JUDGEMENT out of it. It's the mistakes that make this game human, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Even for home run calls. No instant replay in baseball.

2. KEEP THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF SPORTS. You have probably heard about the Texas congressman who is trying to get a bill passed through congress that would in effect ELIMINATE the BCS from college football, instead forcing a government-backed playoff system. The BCS is of course against this because this would all but destroy the "bowl game" that has been a part of NCAA seasons for generations. Not to mention, the amount of sales, merchandise, and advertising revenue that would no longer pad the pockets of so many of those NCAA football brass and bowl organizers.

I don't like the BCS. I would prefer a playoff system. Of course, I wouldn't lose any money on the switch, so it's easy for me to say. A playoff system (like EVERY OTHER SPORT IN THE COUNTRY USES) determines a clear, definitive, and deserving champion each and every time. No "Co-National Champions" in the playoff system. Who wants that on their car's license plate frame? If you made the playoff field large enough (say, 32 teams) the revenue would still be there, and the Champion wouldn't have to play too many more games. Solution? Only have 2 season opening non-conference games to allow for the longer "post-season".

Back to the point, though. BCS or playoff, the United States Government should have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. Socialism anyone? I'm sure you've heard the critics of our president calling him a "socialist" or a "marxist", but doesn't this college football issue smack of just that? The government has no business telling college football what to do, how to do, or when to do their business. Nor does it matter what the hell Obama says about "BCS or playoff". Why should that matter?

Along with this matter, I don't want the Mitchell Report, I don't want Senate subcommitties interviewing current or former baseball players on whether or not they used steroids. I don't agree with steroids, but neither do I think the government should tell us who should or should not be in the hall of fame. And they aren't "saying" that, but they are. Named, and you're doomed. Please tell me what baseball has to do with Congressional Subcommities.

3. GROW UP, A-ROD! I am sure you don't want to hear yet another person's take on the whole A-Roid thing, but bear with me. The first time he got caught, he said it wasn't true. Then he came on national TV with a major network interview, and said he did. But just for a couple years. That's it.

Then more information surfaces, supporting that perhaps he wasn't being entirely truthful. Get outta here, really? It would be kind of odd, for a baseball player to just up and start using performance enhancing drugs, and then just up and drop them all together. Or maybe it's just me. For anyone to believe that he stopped taking them when he was traded to the Yankees is ridiculous. Not only was the city bigger, but his payroll was the biggest. EVER. Also, he was moving to the largest city in the country, with the most fans, and largest media market. No pressure, there. I'm sure he didn't feel that pressure, either. Give me a freakin break. I don't even want to talk about the rest of the new information.

My solution? Well, after he comes on national TV AGAIN to appologize to the fans, and his teammates for lieing AGAIN, Bud Selig should ban him from baseball. End of story. That way, we won't have to worry about the A-Rod Hall of Fame debate which is sure to ensue the moment he announces his retirement sometime down the road. It also sets a precident for all other current and future ballplayers. Use drugs, you're out. Pete Rose, in his entire playing or managerial career, NEVER CHEATED AT THE GAME. And yet he may never step foot in Cooperstown, New York. I don't want it to be an asterisk record book, I don't want it to be something "we just don't discuss at the dinner table", I want it cut and dry. Get this sh*t over with.


Allelujiah, where's the Tylenol.

It's Been a Week...

Back from the brief yet celebratory hiatus from the world of blogosphere. Easter has come and gone, along with it my Mother (visiting my wife and I for the first time) and the 13+ hours spent at church during the Easter weekend. Ah, the joys of being Catholic.

Maybe I'm been avoiding this world of blogging, too. Yep. I'm pretty sure I have. You see, I heavily associate my blog with baseball. Rightly so, I think - I write mostly about cards, the Brewers, and the occasional rock-throwing session down at the lanes (which reminds me, this Dude threw a 179 on Saturday, a personal best!). Which also reminds me of something I thought of while researching my TBL card fest entries...The Dude is never shown actually bowling during the entire movie. Sure, when he is revealing the Walter and Donnie the atrocities brought upon him by the rug pissers, he is standing someone close to the ball return, and throughout the movie he is shown carrying a bag which I assume contains a bowling ball, I don't recall him physically hurling one down the lane. Perhaps this has been a well known fact about the movie, and I just never took notice. I tend to do that at times. I just found out yesterday my wife has brown hair.

Anyhow, back to baseball and my avoidance of the blog. I have come to a realization recently, and last night's disgustingly pitiful 6-1 Brewers loss at the hands of the Cincy Reds have only cemented this feeling in my heart: the Brewers aren't nearly as good as I thought they were. I am quite sure a lot of you have been saying this, or thinking this, over the past offseason. Here is how I have come to said conclusion.

1. We made the playoffs last year largely due to the efforts of a one CC Sabathia. In half a season he garnered just 2 less wins than the team leader, Ben Sheets - who pitched nearly the whole season.
2. The offseason tends to become a pair of "beer goggles", and the more beer you have (the longer the winter goes on) the better she (the team) looks. And that's a no dog shitter.
3. I thought Yovani Gallardo was going to dominate now that he's healthy. Wrong. Two outings, 11.2 innings pitched, 9 earned runs, 6 walks, 2 HRs. ERA: 6.94
4. Jeff Suppan is still bad. The Brewers call it "aiming" pitches, I call it going to Italian Chef culinary school in the offseason: serves up nothing but meatballs, now.
5. Prince Fielder still can't hit with men on base. Empty bases? He'll hit 50 homers again.
6. Our shortstop and catcher have a combined .251 average. Combined.
7. Our most consistent pitcher over the past 3 years (12 wins/year)? Dave Bush. FML.

Yes, we are only 8 games into the season. Yes, I have watched all 8 games and I know that the rust is still there, guys are still getting the kinks out. But last year I made excuses for the team that in all rights never should have made the playoffs - we "earned" the Wild Card spot because the Mets, once again, were unable to close out the season. The season is still very young, though, and who knows what will happen. I guess my lone comfort is knowing just that - it's a young season. The Seattle Mariners are are in 1st place in the AL West, the team that last year was the first team in MLB history to lose over 100 games with a payroll of over $100 million. So I guess anything can happen, and one team's early struggles in no way defines how the season will turn out.

Listen to me, I sound like an Indians fan.

30 Teams

After reading Night Owl's post on his ranking (in order of preference) of all 30 Major League Baseball teams, I decided to join him in the sort of blog-around. It's always interesting to see where your favorite team makes it on the list of someone else's ranking, and to see the reasoning behind how they ranked the teams on the list. You may not agree, but at least you'll be entertained. And if you're a Cubs fan, just leave now.

1. Milwaukee Brewers

I suppose it goes without saying that Milwaukee is and always will be my favorite baseball team. Not only was I raised a Brewers fan, spoon fed full helpings of Bratwurst and Bob Uecker every summer, but my first baseball game was a Brewers game. My first autograph was from a Brewers player. My first t-ball uniform had the name "Molitor" in iron-on letters on the back.  As an adult, it is only the icing on the top that their mascot is a guy who used to slide down into a barrel of suds every time they hit a home run. 

2. Minnesota Twins

I grew up about an hour from the Metrodome (on Wisconsin soil, though, no worries) and as a child I saw the vast majority of my ballgames there at the dome.  I will always watch them when the Brewers aren't on TV. Also, a few years ago catcher Joe Mauer donated $1.7 million to save the high school I graduated from. I'll be glad when that stupid dome is down and they have real baseball there again.

3. Atlanta Braves

Mostly because they USED to be the Milwaukee Braves, and also during my childhood (the peak card collection years) the Braves were awesome to watch - Dave Justice, Ron Gant, Tom Glavine, Steve Avery, John Smoltz, Mark Lemke, SID BREAM! I was on the big screen at Turner Field on July 4th, 2004 when the Braves played the Red Sox wearing my dress white uniform. So I got that going for me. Which is nice.

 

4. Tampa Bay Rays

That's "Devil Rays" if you don't mind being fined. I like these guys because they are young, Joe Maddon is an awesome manager who truly knows the game of baseball inside and out, and they literally went from worst to first. In one year. Not because they signed a bunch of expensive free agents, but because they stuck with their system and it finally paid off. It's a shame they didn't win the Series, but the Phils are okay too. 

5. Texas Rangers

Nolan Ryan. The greatest pitcher the game has ever seen. Red, White and Blue. Don't Mess With Texas.  And last but not least? George Bush.  Kenny Rogers will always occupy a special place in my heart. I've always had a good time in Texas whenever I've visited family down there, so here ya go folks.

6. Cleveland Indians

To me, the good ol days of baseball are the days portrayed in the movie "Major League": High socks with stirrups, huge guys with a mouth full of chaw, crazy fans w/ 80's haircuts and t-shirts, and drunken broadcasters. The modern-day Tribe has alot to offer. I'll give you 5 names, and you tell me 5 guys from a single team better than them (the Brewers don't count): Sizemore, Hafner, Garko (when he's hot), Peralta, and DeRosa. Perhaps the most under-achieving lineup in baseball. Hopefully this year is better for the Tribe. 

7. Baltimore Orioles

Brooks Robinson was possibly the greatest 3rd baseman ever, and combined with Cal Ripken, Jr, watching the O's as a kid planted them firmly in my all-time Top 10 of favorite teams (or, rather, teams I "wouldn't mind seeing win a game or two here and there").

8.  Pittsburgh Pirates

Before the Brewers moved back to the National League, the Pirates were always a non-threat, and had the coolest uniforms ever (aside from the 80's Astros garb) complete with the Abe Lincoln hat and plenty of yellow. Yellow is a great color, regardless the circumstance. I want the Brewers to bring back the early 90's uniforms (ball and glove logo) with the script Milwaukee or Brewers on the chest, because that yellow just pops so great. 

Now that the Brewrs are back in the National League, well, the Bucs are still a non-threat. Thanks for taking our place at the bottom of the division, guys.

9. Philadelphia Phillies

I love Chase Utley, he's a scrappy player who will go a long way if he stays healthy. Jimmy Rollins has the funniest commercial on TV right now...check it out...

Aside from that, they represent the Northeast in a great way, perhaps the way all the other teams from that part of the country should do business. 

10.Kansas City Royals

I'm not going to say pity, because that's not the word. But I do feel something for these guys. Also a non-threat to the Brewers, they pad the schedule for the Twins so that's a big factor on my list.  Before the Angels of Anaheim from Los Angeles in California no longer owned by Disney built their new house, the Royals had the only outfield flowing water structure in the league. It's still the best, too.

11. Houston Astros

If for no other reason than their old uniforms (and Nolan Ryan) the Astros reside in the top 15 of my list.  It's always nice, too, when the Brewers travel down to Minute Maid Park and hit homers over that toy train in left field. Tomorrow's main post will reveal to you another reason why the Astros were able to climb nearly 4 spots to #11 for the 2009 season. Let's just say, I did a little happy dance after I checked the mail today. Good things, good things.

12. Oakland A's 

Who else in all of professional sports wears a picture of an animal not at all associated with their current city or mascot as a logo on their uniform? Combine that with a city that barely realizes that they still have a baseball team, an organization that could give Jason Giambi a second contract, and a guy named Bobby Crosby, you have #12 on my list.

13. San Diego Padres

After visiting San Diego and Petco Park back in '07, the Padres climbed up my list. I love the old brown and yellow unis (again, the theme of yellow). I also love Tony Gywnn (Sr, not Jr) and his "large body but high voice" syndrom. He's one of the guys I could listen to talking about baseball all day.

In closing, three words: San Diego Chicken.

14. Washington Nationals

How anybody could root against a team who will not be a threat to their favorite team for at least 10 years, I'll never know. Let's here it for getting baseball out of Canada not a moment too soon. The poor Expos finally had a good season in 1994, only to see the season end early due to strike. Did the folks of Montreal even know? Nope, they were looking forward to the opening of hockey season.  Now the team is back in the US, with an outdoor stadium that kicks ass, and aside from their CLEAR and BLATANT knockoff big-head people racing thing (the orignal Sausage Race in Milwaukee will always be the best) they are okay in my book.

15. Cincinnatti Reds

I grew up on stories of the Big Red Machine (my mother's favorite baseball team) and the doctrine that Johnny Bench was the greatest catcher of all time, and that "Geronimo!" was a call that only should be heard at a baseball game.  Add to this that the Reds, season after season, make Bill Hill look like the greatest slugger in baseball, they round out my top 15. 

I believe the dividing line for baseball fans is whether or not they think Pete Rose should be allowed into the hall of fame. I firmly believe that the greatest tragedy in baseball (aside from the All-Star game tie in 2002) is the fact that Pete Rose is not in the Hall of Fame. It's about drawing a line in the sand, and across this line - YOU DO NOT...

16. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

I have absolutely nothing against the Angels organization aside from the fact that they have the worst team name in all of baseball. I'm not talking mascot, either. I'm a God-fearing Christian  and love me some Angels.  But until they decide on either A) California, B) Los Angeles, or C) Anaheim, they must reside in the bottom half of the league.  And don't get me started on that stupid rally monkey. Oh, man.

17. Detroit Tigers

The Tigers ran the risk of turning into the Yankees of the Midwest a few years ago, but after last years dismal performance (relative to the high expectations, that is) we have no worry of that happening any time soon.  I guess the Tigers at #17 are my turning point of the list. I have nothing against them, but there's nothing for them either. After Detroit, however, it all goes downhill. And fast. Just wait until you see who occupies the 7th Cirle of Hell...

18. Colorado Rockies

If I were to become the commissioner of a professional sports league of some sort, I would have a few rules when it came to the naming of mascots.

1. Mascot must be something easily representable in costume form.
2. Mascot name must be easily pluralized
3. Mascot must not be a theme, concept, or anything besides an animal, person, or local figure.
4. If the team has relocated from another city or region, the name of the mascot must be changed to reflect its parent organizations current city or region (there are no lakes in LA, there is no Jazz in Utah). 

Unfortunately for the "Rockies", they don't meet requirements 1 or 2.  And aside from this, I don't like expansion teams either. The reason for the Wild Card is because the talent pool has been diluted due to expansion. Do we need 30 teams? No. We end up having 5 or 6 really good teams, and the rest are mediocre. We pick 2 of them to make the Wild Card so we can have an even 8 team playoff grid. For me, hockey is worse in this respect, but the current conversation deals only with baseball. And before you ask, the Brewers were not an expansion team, they moved from Seattle in 1970. 

19. Florida Marlins

The Marlins also fall into the "expansion team" category. Even worse to me is their hideous color scheme. When they came into the league in '93 they wore those horribly vibrant teal uniforms. Then they went ahead and won the World Series in 1997. Free agency has ruined professional sports, but I'm not getting into that. I just don't think they shoul have a baseball team in Miami. Their average attendance last season? Dead last. Only 16,688 people attended their home games. Most of them were retired folks from New Jersey who go because it's better than crossword puzzles and Judge Judy every day.  But, I guess Miami really needed a baseball team. Their great fans won't even approve a referendum to publicly fund a new stadium for them. Some fans. Milwaukee, the SMALLEST media market in the country, was #9 on the attendance list. For a team who hadn't made the playoffs in 26 years. THOSE are some fans.

20. Arizona Diamondbacks

The D-backs also fall into the expansion team category. At least they've changed their colors to something that people will wear in a different time period than the early 1990's. 

21. Los Angeles Dodgers

I don't like big city teams, and this whole recent thing with Manny Ramirez has just worsened it for me. Throw in bringing Joe Torre in as the manager, and you've got a great media maelstrom that is just perfect for those wackos out in California. If you're a Dodgers fan because they used to be in Brooklyn, then I'm alright with you and I'm sorry your team has been ruined by Major League Baseball and the craziness that is California.

22. Toronto Blue Jays

Aside from the fact that there shouldn't be a Major League Baseball team in Canada, the Blue Jays reside on the bottom of my list for a couple reasons. First of all, they stole Paul Molitor from me. I know it was free agency, and what actually happened was Milwaukee allowing Pauly to walk away, but still. To Canada?  Okay, so they are in Canada, and they play baseball indoors. Two no-no's for me. 

23. San Francisco Giants

Where do I start. It was worse in the Bay than it was in St. Louis during McGwire's heyday. Big Mac Land is one thing, that was just a big plastic sign hung from the 2nd level in left field. But building an entire ball park around one player, making it not only easier for him to break the all-time home run record but do it while turning a blind eye to the cheating that was going on? Come on. The San Francisco Giants are as much to blame for the steriod mess as MLB is.  They apparently were able to make money before the cash cow of Barry Bonds arrived, but instead of following that same business model after his arrival they used steroids and instant gratification to expand their profit margin and pad the pockets of the ownership. 

24. Chicago White Sox

The White Sox have two strikes against them from the gate. Firstly,  they are located in Chicago, which is a shithole. Trust me, I've lived there.  Thanks to the Cubs, I hate all things Chicago. Secondly, the 1919 Chicago Black Sox. It's one thing to steal signs, rub a little vaseline on your palm, or allow some pine tar to creep up your bat. But to intentionally throw the World Series for some lousy money, that is another thing entirely. Call me sentimental, or the product of a childhood filled with "Field of Dreams", but I believe it's their fault Pete Rose is not in the hall of fame. He will forever be compared to them, and in my book, unfairly.  What he did was very different from what they did, and unfortunately, Bart Giamatti has screwed Charlie Hustle for life.

25. Seattle Mariners

I've lived here in Seattle for the past two years, and the most disappointing part of it is going to a Mariners game at Safeco Field. Tickets are nearly 50% higher than tickets for a Brewers or Twins game, a beer is $8, bratwurst and chips is $9, and don't even plan on parking at the game. The team sucks, the ownership is too cheap to care about their team (and actually put some decent money into it...after all, it takes money to make money) and should Ichiro decide that when his contract is up he wants to leave Seattle, they have no plan in place to carry the franchise on from that point in time. They truly rely so heavily upon Japanese-Amarican fans that if he leaves the team, they are screwed.  True Mariners fans (i.e., the old guys I buy cards from at their little shops) tell me the only reason catcher Kenji Yohjima is on the roster is to prepare for that day. He is absolutely horrible (.227 avg, including .207 vs lefties) so why else would he still be their opening day catcher? Hmm...

26. New York Mets

Too much money, Shea Stadium sucked, and they are from New York. I think that sums it up. Not to mention no other team has let their fans down over the past 3 years more than the Mets. 

27. St. Louis Cardinals

I was barely able to speak when it happened, but they took away the only opportunity for my Brewers to win a World Series title back in 1982. Their fans are annoying, they think they are God's gift to professional sports, and they think they are part of the Midwest.  They are also divisional opponents for the Brewers, so that is another strike against them. If it wasn't for the next two teams, they would join the Cubs at the very bottom of the list.

28. Boston Red Sox

I have a huge problem with bandwagon fans. A friend of mine (who is from Ohio - home to two MLB teams, by the way) claims he has been a "life-long Sox fan" but didn't wear anything Sox related until 2004.  He is not even close to being the only person I know like this. I'll admit, I was cheering for them against the Yanks in the 2004 ALCS. Only because I hated to see their fans go so long without winning. But then it turned into a monster. Not only were the Patriots great, but now the Red Sox were on top, and then after they won it again in 2007, they had the Pats, Sox, and Celts atop their prospective leagues. It became a golem to fans of any team in any league, something unavoidable and always in your face. And the folks to bring it to us? Joe Buck and Tim McCarver. I love them as commentators, but I'm sure they were sleeping with the entire Boston infield for most of 2007. 

29. New York Yankees

I'm sure they rank near the bottom of every list made by fans from Boston or anywhere else in the US besides New York/New Jersey.  They forever changed the game of baseball. Well, not the game, but the game behind the game. They made it impossible for teams like Milwaukee, Kansas City, or Tampa Bay to compete at the same level year after year. Sure, the Brewers made the playoffs last year, and maybe the next 2 years we'll have a chance, but after that it may be another 25 year drought again. Thanks to the guys that can afford to pay the huge salaries that the great free-agent players command. That leaves small market teams no option but to once again turn to their farm system, bring those guys up, just to lose them again to free agency. It's a vicious cycle, and only a salary cap can bring an end to it. 

I hate their arrogance, I hate their loud mouths, I hate their steroids and their fans and their beloved "Cathedral of Baseball". I've been to Yankee Stadium: everything was expensive, the fans were crude, and our car was broken into.  Screw the Yankees. The Bronx sucks.

30. Chicago Cubs

Of course no Brewers fan in their right mind would rank the Cubs anywhere else but at the bottom of the list at #30. As my brother puts it, "I'd rather have a sister in a whorehouse than a brother who is a Cubs fan".  Well said, my friend. Well said. Maybe it's the fact that they come up to Milwaukee with their deep dish pizza and crappy Old Style beer, take over our parking lot and declare it "Wrigley Field North". When we try to return the favor, they steal our Pabst, eat all our Bratwurst, and leave NO PARKING WHATSOEVER at Wrigley for us to even attempt the claiming of that craphole they call a stadium.  I hope they go another 100 years without a World Series title. In the meantime, I'll continue keeping a goat as a pet and naming all my children "Bartman". Well, maybe just the goat thing for now. 

Shame on You, New York Mets

Today is Super Bowl Sunday, and because I am an honest man and a man with strong convictions, I will not blaspheme this day by writing about baseball cards. Yes, it was only 11 years ago that my beloved Green Bay Packers were playing in their second Super Bowl in a row, and perhaps I still have some sentiment in my heart from that day, and it's crushing defeat at the hands of John Elway, the Denver Broncos, and the 5 or 6 officials that the NFL assigned to the game to ensure John Elway could retire with at least 1 Super Bowl ring on his finger. But I'm not bitter.

Instead, today I'm going to write about something that should be recieving more coverage than it currently is. I refer to the new stadium that the New York Mets will be moving to this April, which has the current name of "Citi Field". 

In case you've been in a nuclear fallout shelter for the past year, you are fully aware that we are in the middle of an economic recession. People everywhere are losing their jobs, forclosing on their home mortgages, and falling further and further into debt. My father lost his job just over a week ago, and I myself may be staring the neverland of unemployment square in the face in a month or two. Time will tell.  

I did not major in business or economics in college, nor was I ever forced to take a class in either of those disciplines, so I don't claim to be an expert. I do know, however, that if banks stop giving people money in the form of loans, they cannot buy houses or fund their businesses at affordable rates. If this happens, people have to close their small businesses, or not buy a house, or perhaps be forces to get a loan with an interest rate that will force them into certain financial hardship. Again, I don't understand the world of finance too well but I do understand cause and effect.

When this happens, the world of credit "freezes": nobody will lend money, nobody can borrow money, and so people stop spending money. When people no longer spend money on things like new clothes, gourmet coffee, or baseball cards, vendors of these items no longer have the same profit margin as before. Because of this, they are forced to cut overhead costs in an attempt to maintain some semblance of a "positive" or "black" profit margin.  The easiest way to cut overhead cost is to reduce your workforce, and so people like my father (who just lost his job w/ Wells Fargo) are given a pink piece of paper and a severence package.  Now this unemployed person must pay his rising mortgage and auto loan costs with the paycheck he no longer recieves.

In an ettempt to reverse this trend, and "unfreeze" the credit world, major banks and lenders such as JP Morgan - Chase, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, etc. have asked the federal governent for assistance, federal funds, tax dollars, in order to right the ship and reverse this process.  The federal bailout package that was passed at the end of President Bush's presidency gave money to a number or large financial institutions, one of them being Citigroup.  In fact, Citi recieved nearly $45 Billion worth of federal funds as part of the bailout plan.

As you may know, the New York Mets have closed the doors to historic Shea Stadium (which, had you not had the opportunity to visit while it was open for business, you hadn't missed much. I will say however, that while I was in college I had the opportunity to attend a game at Shea between the Mets and Yankees, the "subway series", and saw a Yankees fan wearing a pink dress, adorned on the back with the number "31" and the name "PIAZZA". Classic.)  This season the Mets will move into their new home, "Citi Field", built in the shadows of Shea Stadium (i.e. the parking lot that used to be the outfield view, classy).  

Let us connect these two subjects then, the Mets new stadium and current state of the American economy.  As we know, naming rights for major stadiums and ballparks can get pretty expensive, and three years ago Citigroup paid a reported $400 Million for naming rights to the Mets new facility for 20 years.  Three years ago, when unemployment was around 5% (as opposed to the 7.2% we have today) this went unnoticed, and it wasn't a problem. Perhaps a little absurd, but not anything that a random guy from Wisconsin should be worried about.

Today, however, this is  something that I take issue with.  Many companies have applied to the government for some aid, and rightly so.  As long as their executives aren't throwing $400,000 bailout parties, I don't have a problem with it. Ford Motor Company hasn't taken a penny from the government, so I have no problem with them or the fine folks in Detroit. But if a company has taken federal funds to help right their ships, and they turn around to spend $400 Million on essentially what amounts to nothing but major advertising,  I believe this is entirely wrong.  Citigroup should take action and cancel their deal with the New York Mets.  

They have not, however. In fact, neither have the New York Mets taken any action whatsoever to address this situation. This deal has caught the attention of our legislature, however, and a few members of Congress are currently pushing for the Obama administration to either force Citigroup out of their deal with the Mets, or end and take away any and all federal funds Citi has received as part of the bailout.

Shame on you, New York Mets organization.  Perhaps its the big city, empirical mentality that has changed the way they look at the world, and blurred their concept of reality. Maybe it's easy for me to take issue here because it's not my team. I assure you, however, should Miller Brewing Co. take any money from the goverment I would be the first to speak up if the Milwaukee Brewers at all hesitated in dropping Miller as their naming sponsor.  In todays world of professional sports, I understand that it's all about the almighty dollar and putting butts in seats. But at some point, a man's conscience has to speak louder than his wallet. And if his doesn't, someone else does. Apparently the Mets fans all still have their jobs, and are current on all of their bills, because they haven't made enough of an uproar over this situation. If they had, we've have heard about it already, and there would be a different name on the front of their new stadium.