AND THE LEAKS JUST KEEP ON COMING...

The point of my blog, is to bring you insight to things you may not know about what goes on behind the scene's in professional sports. Today two more names were released from the SEALED 2003 list of major league baseball players, and I have to ask myself, what is really going on behind these sealed records and when does it become illegal to leak these SEALED names?

I do not condone drug use of any kind. Period. If there are substances on a list that your union tells you that you are not aloud to take or there will be consequences, then so be it. But when your union tells you that you must participate in a drug test that will remain sealed, they owe it to you that it stays sealed.

First Bonds, then Arod, Sosa and now Manny and Papi. Only 99 to go! Let me give you some insight, I recently had a very reliable source tell me exactly who is on the list. I had my suspicions about David Ortiz after the news came out about Manny Ramirez testing positive for a banned substance. I have learned how the Dominican players bond very quickly in the locker room. They eat together, hang out together away from the ballpark, some even room together. I also saw how close Manny and Papi were in Boston. My gut told me that if Manny was involved in taking PEDs, Papi was probably involved as well. Two weeks ago, my source told me Manny and Papi were on the list. He knew who was on this sealed list.

As a journalist, it is my responsibility to have some ethics. This was not a sealed list of terrorists selling drugs to school children. It is interesting that these so called journalists who are hunting down this story don't seem to care what PEDs these athletes tested positive for. Isn't that part of the story? And trust me, if you know these five names, you know them all. Why not rip this band aid off and release all the names and be done with this never ending story. But then you might have to actually work for a real story.

If my source is correct, there are still big names on this list. They touch every team in baseball so get off your high horse that the Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers are the only ones cheating. The names that tested positive have been involved in the biggest moments in baseball history. As these last ninety nine names are trickled out, the news will be shocking to their fans. If you are still shocked by this story that is. What is shocking is how this information is being leaked. THAT is the story I would like to uncover because that person or persons have broken the law. How would you like your sealed medical records to be leaked out to the mass media?

When will MLB take responsibility for this? It is their union who threw their players under the bus. Manny took his punishment, when will MLB?

TIME IS UP BRETT....

Ahhh, the heat of the summer peaks and the sounds of crashing helmets return. NFL football, my favorite time of year. But is it Brett Favre's favorite time? For most players, training camp is as rough and tough as it gets. A time that players only look forward to because they know when the grueling four weeks are completed they hopefully have a place on an NFL football team and the get to live the dream.

Brett Favre has lived the dream and got the ring but can not give up the game. I get that, but at what expense does his "waffling" cost the rest of the team? This team being the Minnesota Vikings.

Favre has made no secret that he does not look forward to training camp. His 40 year old body may have one more year left in the regular season but the excruciating pain of training camp may be more than he can really take. The thing is, if you miss training camp, especially with a team you have never played with before, you are already putting yourself far behind the eight ball. Not to mention the fact that part of the continuity that begins to happen between players is because you are all out there suffering together. If Brett wants to play for the Minnesota Vikings and stick it to his old team, he needs to suffer too.

Favre has had more than enough time to make his decision as to weather he wants to play or not play. Favre is one of the most respected guys to ever play the game and he needs to have some respect for his potential new team mates and either join them in camp or stay at home and call it a career for real. Finally.

"IT'S SHOWTIME"....Again

Manny is back after serving his 50 game suspension and he is ready to play baseball. I have spent the last week with the Dodgers in San Diego and New York City and all is well in the locker room. Guys are glad to have him back, he is hitting well. Fans are glad to have him back, ok maybe not New York fans but in San Diego there were more Dodger fans than Padre fans, for obvious reasons. Joe Torre is glad he is back and he is really over the questions about Manny. Joe has said over and over, "Manny made a mistake, he paid for it, he is sorry, we are trying to win a World Series and we are moving on".

Manny himself summed it up in New York. Over 30 or so media were waiting for him in the locker room pregame. When he came in he sat at his locker and said, "I am here to talk about the game, if you want to talk about that, that's all". Of course the first question was fired out about his suspension and he looked at the man and said "Sir, I put you on MUTE...next". Then his small locker room audience roared. The reporter was embarrassed shouting out that laughing is unprofessional....yeah, so is thinking that Manny Ramirez owes you something. He doesn't. To back track for a moment, in San Diego Manny cane into a press conference with his agent Scott Boras and Joe Torre. As Manny walked up to the podium, he nervously shouted out, "It's Showtime". The first question asked was by an LA Times reporter who wanted to know when Manny started doing steroids. Manny responded saying he was not going to talk about his medical condition. He said he was sorry and is ready to play baseball. One of the reporters asked Joe Torre "What is Manny sorry for?". Joe paused, looked him right in the face and said, "When you say your sorry, don't you know what you are sorry for?" The reporter, trying to get more information out of Joe responded, "Not always". Joe quickly responded with, "When I say I'm sorry, I always know what I am saying I'm sorry for". The voice of reason speaks again.

Here is the lesson. Athletes are human. Period the end. You can crucify or justify all you want. I think we have all had a personal experience in which we made a mistake and would not want to have to explain it to anyone, let alone to the media. If you steal money or commit murder, that is a very different kind of story. Stop the madness, this is not that kind of story.

If you are a Dodger fan, you are thrilled that the team has remained in first place and has the best overall record in baseball and you will welcome Manny back in Left Field. If you are a human being, you understand that Manny made a mistake and you welcome him back and accept his apology, no more questions asked.

DODGERS ITALIAN STORY WINS NATIONAL AWARD

As journalists it is always nice to get a pat om the back for a job well done. It is especially nice to share this with all of the people who do the work behind the scene's and for the people you actually interview. After all, it is their story.
Last year I had an idea to highlight what I kindly refer to as the "Dodgers Italian Mafia". Being Italian myself so this is totally acceptable. Tommy La Sorda, Joe Torre and Ned Colletti all with Italian roots are also three of the highest ranking members with in the Dodgers Organization...I did not say they were Organized.
At any rate, it was my pleasure to sit down with these three men and talk about their Italian heritage. As a result the feature called the "Italian Story" won a National award this week, called The Telly.
A special thanks to an amazing cameraman and editor, Colin Sommer who put up with all of my neurosis during the shoots and editing sessions. To Mark J. Doddy our station manager who allows me to explore my creativity and to our station RPV-TV who supports our programming. to the Dodgers PR staff who are always willing to help out and facilitate logistics to make these things happen. And finally to Joe Tommy and Ned who enthusiastically sat with me sharing their stories about growing up Italian.
Last to my Italian family who is very proud of being Italian.

Enjoy our Award Winning story.

"THE MANNY SHOW" IN THE MINORS

When Manny Ramirez began his rehab assignment, the "Manny Show" which had been on put on hiatus since his suspension has been picked up yet again. This time in the smallest market in America. Manny is playing with the Albuquerque Isotopes. I am sure no one had even heard of them before last week, now they are a household word, thanks to Manny.

But this is one Manny show with no dialogue. At least not the scripted dialogue that all of the hard nosed angry sports reporters are chomping at the but to get. Do they even have a press box in Albuquerque or is the media forced to buy tickets and hope that their laptop batteries don't die. All the while watching and waiting for Manny to come up to bat. Waiting for Manny to say something, anything they can twist to write a story about.

Manny is a smart guy and he isn't talking. He never told exactly what happened in Boston and he won't explain himself regarding the suspension. So get over it. He knows that reporters make things up about him and trust me, he does not care. I have talked to Manny alot, off camera and on. I am not embarrassed to tell you that I like him very much. He is a good guy with a big heart. he made a mistake, he worked it out, time to move on now.

Just as the "Manny Show" will. Next week he will appear in San Bernadino and finish his rehab assignment before his first game back with the real Dodgers in San Diego on July 3rd.

Yep that's right, get ready Ron Burgundy...The "Manny Show" continues for real in a game against the Padre's, in a city that will have no idea what hit them. Get ready for that one, I promise it will be better than a day at the Zoo!

CLIPPERS WILL TAKE GRIFFIN AT NUMBER ONE

So glad we have had a few days off from basketball season here in Los Angeles. Now that the Lakers have had the parade we focus on the Clippers, LA's "other" team who have the number one pick.

Today Coach and General Manager of the Clippers Mike Dunleavy said that they would not trade the pick and would more than likely be taking Blake Griffin with number one. While Griffin is the obvious choice, who is the obvious choice to lead this team?

Last year Baron Davis came in and never really became "the guy" as expected. He never explained why. Maybe deep down he was upset that Elton brand left, but it was a unique opportunity for a superstar to shine and Baron did not. Lets face it, Kobe is "the guy", LeBron is "the guy" and they all have the supporting cast around them. The Clippers do as well.

Granted that rookie Eric Gordon was still learning last year but his play was stellar. Al Thornton another solid player. Too many injuries sent the Clippers out on the floor with over 40 different line ups but when Chris Kaman, Zach Randolph and Marcus Camby where healthy, they were a good team.

This team needs a life line to keep Clipper fans interested enough to renew their season tickets. Maybe Griffin will add some excitement to the team. What they need the most is chemistry and leadership. They play hard, they just don't finish. Maybe the fact that the team down the hall did finish and has another ring will encourage the Clippers to become relevant again in Los Angeles and the NBA.

WEAVER VS. WEAVER, an added curve ball on the freeway series

Some people like rivalries with in cities and then there are sports fans who hate inter league play. How about inter league play between brothers?

On Saturday night it was the Weaver brothers facing off on the mound. The Dodgers have the older and grittier Jeff while the Angels have the younger and sharper Jared. But Saturday night it was age before beauty. Dodgers downing the Angels 6-4.

It has been awhile since brothers faced off against each other. In 2002 Andy and Alan Benes got together on the hill. Although it was amusing for the fans, both Jeff and Jared are glad that their duel is done. Jeff saying that he was mentally and physically exhausted and it was the most ill felt victory he has experienced. Jared said it was fun but not interested in a rematch anytime soon.

Sitting about 20 rows back behind home plate were the proud Weaver parents. They arrived wearing specially made jerseys representing both sons equally. Half Dodgers and half Angels. Since they both wear number 36 that part was easy. Gail Weaver was spotted after each inning standing up to cheer on each of her sons performance.

After the game Dodger manager Joe Torre said, "I'm glad that we have the brother that won".

I am also sure he was glad that he had Andre Ethier who hit a two run triple giving the Dodgers a 5-2 lead.

While the Weaver family battle was fun, it was time to get back to the freeway series and the never ending argument over the need of inter league play.