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This and that
Dick VitaleSPECIAL TO ESPN.COM
The Mitchell Report was finally revealed and a number of major league baseball players were exposed. It is a threat to the sport because it will influence the attitudes of fans. I can't believe this has gone as far as it has; why wasn't this addressed earlier and looked at more intensely when rumors were running rampant for years. It has been a total disgrace. As a person who loves baseball and buys season tickets for the Rays games, it really hurts to know that some of the people you admired and respected for their ability were utilizing drugs. They went to obtain an advantage in an unethical manner. There are some guys who were named in the report based on hearsay and that is wrong and unfair. There is validity in many of the Mitchell Report allegations because of the inclusion of cancelled checks and records. It was sad to hear Andy Pettitte admit that he used HGH, even if it was for just two days in an effort to recover quicker from elbow problems. I was hoping and praying it was not valid. One thing is for sure: You could put together quite an All-Star team of the players named.
Alex Rodriguez finalized his 10-year, $275 million contract. With incentives, he can make another $30 million thanks to personal achievements. I find that mind-boggling because preaching a team game, you have a player worried about putting up big statistics to get the dollars. Certainly the money would have come with big numbers anyway, and this extra $30 million goal looks attainable if he stays healthy, breaking Barry Bonds' home run record without an asterisk.
The Patriots did not have an easy time against the Jets, but Bill Belichick's team got back to the winner's circle to move to 14-0. The bottom line is New England makes the plays to win games. This time around special teams were a factor. Randy Moss did not have a big game, but the only thing that matters is the final score.
Congratulations to the Miami Dolphins as they finally got their first win of the season. Do you think there was some concern late in regulation when the Dolphins kicked the ball out of bounds after taking the lead? Baltimore drove down the field but settled for a game-tying field goal instead of going for a touchdown in the final seconds. Do you think some people may second-guess that decision.
Bobby Petrino said bye-bye after 13 games as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. He quit on them just one day after telling owner Arthur Blank that he was their coach. Petrino implied he was going nowhere and the next day, he accepts the job at Arkansas and is doing the pig sooey chant at a late-night press conference. Are you kidding me? Warrick Dunn put it so well when he criticized Petrino's lack of loyalty. How can a kid going to the University of Arkansas, signing a national letter of intent, look his new coach straight in the eye and feel secure that Petrino is a man of integrity? He left Louisville for the Falcons and then bolted Atlanta for Arkansas, all in a short span of time. Unbelievable, baby! So Petrino and Nick Saban will be together battling in the SEC … interesting.
Things got a little more interesting in the NFC when the Eagles upset the Cowboys. Now Dallas and Green Bay are tied for the best record in the conference, though the Cowboys have the edge in the tie-breaker thanks to a head-to-head win. It just makes things a little tougher for Wade Phillips and company.
While talking about the Packers, congratulations to Brett Favre on another record, passing Dan Marino as the NFL's all-time passing yardage leader. Favre just keeps re-writing the record book.
Michigan made a good decision hiring Rich Rodriguez away from West Virginia. Rodriguez is a winner who will help the Wolverines offense.
Marion Jones officially had her five gold medals stricken from the record books. This is another sad story hurting sports fans everywhere. She denied using performance-enhancing drugs for years, then changed her tune. Now the truth is out but it is a little late, my friends. The damage has been done and Jones has seen her reputation and career ruined.
How about a salute to Miami (Fla.) basketball coach Frank Haith and his Hurricanes? Miami was picked last in the ACC in one preseason poll, yet the 'Canes are 9-0 following a big win over Mississippi State down in Starkville, a difficult place to play. Jack McClinton scored 29 points in the victory. I wonder how those prognosticators that tabbed Miami at the bottom of the ACC feel right now?
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.
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