It Just Doesn't End, Does It?

Just when you thought we would be able to make it through the weekend without someone griping about playing time- here comes Frank Thomas flying off the handle about being benched (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3354449). "I'm angry, I know I can help this team. My career isn't going to end like this," he said. Well when you're batting .167 with three homers and 11 RBIs in 60 at-bats (which was right around my average in two seasons playing in a men's rec league), you really can't complain about being benched, especially when you're on the back nine of your career and you signed a two-year, $18-million contract in 2006. The majority of men in the US between the ages of 23 and 40 would do anything just to have a tenth of what he would make in two years- including me (that's $1.8 million for all you non-math scholars)!! But as the cliche' says, "Be careful what you wish for," the "Big Hurt" got what he wanted- a mutual release from the Blue Jays and a chance to go elsewhere. He'll end up somewhere, but I don't know if he'll necessarily get more playing time...
Switching gears now- I happened to read a story on ESPN.com about the different paths that NBA legends Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan have taken since they retired (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=3351892&sportCat=nba&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab4pos2), and it made me proud that I share my birthday with Sir Charles. I completely agree with Gene Wojciechowski about how Jordan can be defined by four things when his life is all said and done, while Barkley continues to evolve into the "role model" he said he wasn't back in the '90s. Barkley may end up being the governor of his home state of Alabama soon if he keeps going at the pace he is, and who's to say he wouldn't make a good governor? I think he'd do a better job than the Governator, and have a better accent at that!! While Jordan will live on forever as a worldwide icon, Barkley's mark on history will be just as broad, provided he can lay off the Krispy Kremes once in a while...
Finally, before I turn in for the night, lots of congrats are in order for IndyCar driver Danica Patrick, who became the first female winner in IndyCar history on Sunday with a victory in Japan (http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/racing/news/story?id=3355226). She's been given so much grief in the media that now she has that first win under her belt and can go along now without having to be scrutinized by critics anymore. Here's to many, many more...
Finally, I mentioned in my last blog that I would give credit to whoever could give me the name of the song and band I used as the subject of Friday's blog, so here are my kudos to Kara and Heather:


Until next time...