The Table: Big Win for US Soccer, Big Trouble for Melky Cabrera, Big Hopes for Andrew Bynum
James Dugan
Keith AllisonInternational
Mexico might be the Olympic Gold Medal Champions, but the United States soccer team made a huge step forward in claiming bragging rights last night. For the first time in 75 years and 25 games, the United States team, who did not qualify for the London Olympics, beat Mexico in Azteca Stadium 1-0. The friendly, which means it does not mean anything, was dominated by Mexico with ball control, controlled attack, and raucous crowd, yet the United States somehow scored in the last ten minutes and had some great goal tending. Will it make the front page of the paper? Well yes, if you are in Cancun on vacation. Mexico’s talent has seeped over to the US as many Mexican Americans are contributing big play to our national team.
Can you name 3 players from the National Team?
National
Steroid use will cost one of the best players in baseball the rest of the year. Melky Cabrera, all-star San Francisco outfielder, is suspended for the rest of the year for doping. The former New York Yankee and next year prized free agent can still win the batting title without taking another swing since he has over 500 at bats. Imagine the embarrassment of the MLB if the batting champion for 2012 was suspended for steroid use the same year he won it? This is the second player from the San Francisco Giants to be suspended for illegal substance this year, a team notoriously known for steroids since its relationship with Barry Bonds. Oh yea, there was also another perfect game thrown. Big Deal!
Should a team be penalized, financially or with cancelled wins, if a player is found on steroids?
Local
The 76ers did a publicity stunt at the National Constitution Center introducing their biggest star since Allan Iverson in the 7ft center from the Lakers, Andrew Bynum. Wait a second. Wasn’t Elton Brand going to be the biggest center since Moses Malone in ’83? What about Matt Geiger or Mutombo? What about the G-man or Manute Bol? This young player from New Jersey was a headache in LA and the Sixers hope he can mature to be the go to man, both in ticket sales and wins, for the emerging franchise. The billboards are hanging and the Sixers’ brass said ticket sales are brisk. I don’t know if the fans should drink the Kool-aid just yet, with two bad knees and a 1 year contract. The organization is taking its time and will make him play for his contract. As Bynam said, “There is a bank in every city.” This is not la la land, young man.
Who was your favorite center in Sixers’ history?
Reader Comments (3)
2. No. The team wins. Cabrera made his own decision, and the team can only do so much to prevent these guys from juicing. It's not the individual teams' responsibility to test their players, and if they tried, it would probably violate the CBA, which we certainly wouldn't want. America can't handle anymore union conflicts, especially with the election coming up.
3. I loved Theo Ratliff and I was disappointed when he was traded. Although Mutombo was a dominant defensive player and Ratliff was hurt, I wish he could have stayed. Before his injury and under Larry Brown, he was a rising star. Shawn Bradley was just funny looking, so I'll always remember him. Besides that though, you have to go back to Malone, which is really before my time.
I think teams should be fined big time, especially after one. They should do their own tests. They are really destroying the legitimacy of any records or fairness for the MLB.
I loved Theo -- I'm sorry I left him off. I was a Giminski man, but Mutombo will always be my favorite. The big finger and shot blocker. I don't need Kareem or Moses, I just want a guy to block everything and knock down Lebron and Wade everytime they come down the lane. Did Rick Mahorn play center sometimes?