The Sporting Day: Some Sporting Observations

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Some Sporting Observations

8. The Boston Red Sox did the right thing by dealing star hitter Manny Ramirez to the Los Angles Dodgers. Ramirez, one of the great modern-day right hand hitters and a surefire future hall-of-famer, is petulant and troublesome and became too much of a cross to bear for the world champion Red Sox. Ramriez has recently feigned injury and threatened to sit out the remainder of the season. While the Red Sox certainly didn’t get full value for Ramirez, they acquired the talented Jason Bay and a more harmonious clubhouse. In the long-term, the Red Sox will be considered winners by pulling the trigger on Manny.

7. The New York Yankees, AL East rivals of the Boston Red Sox, were also big winner’s at the most tumultuous trade deadline period in recent history. The Yankees acquired catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, a fourteen time all-star and thirteen time gold glove winner, from the Detroit Tigers for mediocre middle reliever Kyle Farnsworth. The Yankees were in need of a big name catcher after losing Jorge Posada to injury. The Tampa Bay Rays may lead the East but with the Red Sox and Yankees both improved, expect a three way race that goes down to the wire with the Yankees tipped to go on a run and win the division.

6. Lee Freedman has made a very intelligent decision in signing Dwayne Dunn . The former South Australian hoop is an exceptional rider and is sure to be a success under the tutelage of Freedman, one of the toughest taskmasters in the game. After a falling out with Corey Brown, Freedman has made the right call on picking up Dunn, renowned for his hard work and team play when riding for David Hayes. Dunn is also considered a wonderful big race jockey with four consecutive Blue Diamond victories to go with a Caulfield Cup win. Expect the relationship to be fruitful for both parties.

5. The ARU has made a big mistake in not lending more assistance to the NRL in regards the Sonny Bill Williams walk out. The ARU should have placed more pressure on the International Rugby Board not to register Williams’ contract with Toulon. The reason is simple: Australian rugby is more vulnerable to raids from French rugby than the NRL is. A number of elite players may defect from the NRL but French clubs will be more inclined to poach players who actually play the game. They have already tried with Lote Tuqiri and it would come as no surprise if big money is thrown at the likes of Matt Giteau and co in the next few years. The sanctity of the contract is important and Australian rugby missed a golden opportunity to solidify its belief in same.

4. The AFL last week announced that they were looking at building a boutique 50,000 seat stadium in Melbourne to cope with an increased fixture list as the competition expands from sixteen to eighteen teams with the inclusion of a Gold Coast team and a second Sydney side. The NRL should look to do something similar, building a boutique 25,000 seat stadium at the Homebush Olympic Park complex. Time has come for the NRL to stop playing club matches at the oversized ANZ Stadium. The atmosphere is appalling and it is a poor advertisement for the game. This is an issue that should be high on the agenda of the NRL.

3. Australian selectors have again embarrassed themselves, this time by overlooking Parramatta workhorse Nathan Hindmarsh. Inexplicably, Hindmarsh was left out of Australia’s preliminary 46-man World Cup squad that included Steve Simpson, Josh Perry, Justin Poore, Michael Crocker, Nate Myles and Ryan Hoffman. Hindmarsh has performed exceptionally at representative level in the past and remains one of the best backrowers in the NRL. He has been one of Parramatta’s finest this season. Whatever the reason, Australian selectors have made a huge error in leaving out Hindmarsh.

2. Todd Carney will be making a grave mistake if he continues his game of brinksmanship with the Canberra Raiders. Carney has rejected the Raiders five point plan that included a suspension for the remainder of the 2008 season. He has also written an open letter putting forward his side of the All Bar Nun incident that led to Carney’s suspension. Carney was out of line and should accept his punishment. If he doesn’t, he will have his Raiders contract torn up. The NRL should be applauded for stating they will not register any Carney contract for 2009 should he reject the Raiders proposal. The Raiders should not be further punished for taking such a tough stance. Carney needs to admit his wrongdoing and move on in the appropriate manner.

1. The talk of mergers among Sydney NRL clubs is ridiculous and would only further damage the game. The game is going through a tough time with the desertion of Sonny Bill Williams but the overreaction of many pundits is causing far greater damage. Williams is one player and he will soon be forgotten. The merger of clubs will only serve to disenchant many in rugby league’s stronghold. Rugby league does not need that at this stage. If the NRL is concerned about the lack of money currently in the game, they should look to relocate clubs. Mergers are not the answer.

Upper of the Week: The amazing recovery of Cadel Evans. Evans, who finished second in the Tour De France for the second consecutive year, was given little hope of competing at the Beijing Olympics after injuring his knee during post-Tour celebrations. An amazing recovery, however, has Evans on the verge of competing in both the road race and the time trial. Evans must be considered a major medal hope in both.

Downer of the Week: The Green Bay Packers disgraceful handling of the Brett Favre affair. The Packers reached a new low when they offered Favre $25 million to stay retired. The Packers don’t want Favre but they don’t want Favre to play elsewhere. They are essentially stopping one of the all-time great quarterback’s from playing football. They have tried playing hardball and now they are attempting bribery. Commissioner Roger Goodell needs to step in and broker a peace that will allow Favre to play in the NFL this season.