Each week I will take a look at the world of sports...
• The American League continues to dominate the All-Star game. It is 10-0-1 in the last 11 mid-summer classics after the 5-4 win in San Francisco. That gave the AL homefield advantage for the 2007 World Series. One thing that really impressed me was the celebration and jubilation over Willie Mays during the pre-game ceremony. I remember my buddies arguing over who was the best, the Say Hey Kid or Mickey Mantle. I was a Yankee fan, but I gave the edge to Willie Mays because of his flair and charisma. The AL found a way to get to the winner's circle again with Ichiro earning MVP honors.
• Speaking of Ichiro, think about how good this guy is! The Mariners paid big-time to extend his contract. I never thought anyone would make a run at Pete Rose's hit record, but I wonder what would have happened if Ichiro played his entire career in the major leagues? It might have been interesting, my friends! Ichiro is a hitting machine and Seattle had no choice but to come up with the big ones, $90 million worth, and in the current marketplace he is probably worth it. Ichiro has a great glove, great arm, speed and he can place the ball wherever he wants. Talk about a pure hitter!
• So what do you think of the Yankees' stance on Alex Rodriguez now? I remember before the season that the team said it would not do anything regarding A Rod's contract. They said there were three years remaining and they wanted him to stay. They said there would be no negotiations during the season. My how things have changed! That's what 31 dingers and 87 RBI will do, plus he has been a Gold Glove caliber third baseman. That changed the thinking process, and say what you want about agent Scott Boras, but if I was a superstar player I would consider him. Boras finds all sorts of clauses in contracts to take advantage of situations. A. Rod can be a free agent after this season if he opts out of his contract. Could we see the next deal go all the way up to $35 million a season?
• By the way, the Yankees are back over the .500 mark after taking three out of four from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. New York is still within striking distance of the Red Sox, just nine games out of first place. The Bronx Bombers are within eight of the Indians in the wild card chase.
• The NBA is not wasting time sending a message that they want discipline. Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson were suspended for the first seven games of the 2007-08 campaign for off-court issues. There is talk that the Player's Association may appeal the suspensions.
• The Beckhams have arrived! Posh Spice has come in with her husband, David, to help the MLS and the Los Angeles Galaxy. Talk about a multi-million guy, living in Beverly Hills with the likes of Tom Cruise. Now he has to perform big-time as people line up to see the soccer superstar in action.
• Say what you want about Bobby Cox, but his teams are consistently in contention in the NL. Atlanta has won seven of its last eight games as they stay close to the Mets in the NL East. John Smoltz is scheduled to return to the rotation soon. John Scheurholz finds a way to put together a roster. Andruw Jones has not had a great season, nowhere near where he belongs. He can be a factor down the stretch. I can hear people saying the Cox-Schuerholz tandem has just won World Series ring. Think about how many teams fail to come close to that!
• Talking about giving some credit, what about the job done by Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese. I remember complaining about the conference not playing an 18-game system where each member meets at least once. That has changed as the league goes to that format to get a true evaluation. If I was coaching, I would be yelling and screaming about it. Instead, the fans are winners. Each conference member will meet once, with three schools playing a Big East team home and home.
• When I do some public speaking, I often talk about the three Es-- energy, enthusiasm and excitement. That is what Lou Piniella has brought to the Chicago Cubs. Watch out Milwaukee, the Cubbies are not going to go away. If Derrek Lee consistently hits the longball, and he belted one Sunday, this will get interesting. I have been a big fan of Alfonso Soriano and thought he should be a Yankee forever, but that wasn't meant to be. I believe Piniella has Chicago going wild and Mark DeRosa is an underrated player who fits in nicely. DeRosa was a quarterback at Pennsylvania before becoming a major league player.
*Congratulations to Tom Glavine for his 298th win. He's closing in on that big 300, baby! That is an automatic entry into the Hall of Fame. Lastings Milledge got a clutch hit over the weekend to help out Mr. Glavine. I am a little biased about Milledge since he played high school ball locally here in Florida. I watched him and he has a little flair. I think he will mature and grow up after a little controversy earlier this season.
Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.
