Life...And Death, After Football

Last week, four-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl Champion Dave Duerson took his own life, when he shot himself in the chest with a shot gun. Duerson who filed for bankruptcy in 2010, saw his multimillion dollar food business collapse, and went through a divorce that led to his ex-wife suing him for his Super Bowl Rings and NFL Man of the Year Trophy. Before shooting himself in the heart, Duerson's dying wish was for his brain to be examined for any damage it could have sustained on the football field; and just like that, all of the fines for helmet to helmet hits during the 2010-11 season got put into perspective. The tragic story of Dave Duerson's suicidal death can probably be credited to his descending life, but will always be attached to the undeniable brutality of professional football. I salute Dave Duerson's relentless battle, and hope that his dying wish will pave the way for a safer game than what we have come to know. There is life after football for our cherished athletes, and in this case, there is premature death.

JD

Smells Like Spring

The NFL lockout, NBA All-Star Weekend, and any other significant events in the world of sports all get put aside when the Fightin' Phils report to Clearwater, Florida. While I could get in line and harp on what is gearing up to be the greatest pitching staff of all-time, I'd rather talk concerns than luxuries; as a devout fan, it's simply my job.

Following the club's loss to San Francisco in the NLCS last October, Phils GM Reuben Amaro Jr. embarked on the 2010-11 off-season expressing the bull pen as his number one priority. As pitchers and catchers report, Amaro has made no major changes to a pen that still provides as much uncertainty as the Pennsylvania Power Ball. The most significant transaction was the departure of right-hander Chad Durbin who threw the most innings out of the pen for the Phils last season. Losing the work horse of the bunch certainly won't make 2011 any brighter for the boys in relief.

Reports have been repeatedly saying that the club has plans to deal fifth starter Joe Blanton for a third outfielder/right-handed bat. Since all-star Jayson Werth took his talents to Washington this off-season, Philly's lefty-dominated lineup has been left "righty-less," which will provide many obstacles in the upcoming season. With the roster they have right now the team has a few options, them being, start Ben Francisco, or platoon him with either Ross Gload or blue chip outfielder Dominic Brown. Another case where Reuben Amaro Jr. failed to assess a major off-season need, now has the club scrambling for answers just weeks away from Opening Day.

Cliff Lee is a Phillie again, and it not only gives us one of the best rotations of all time, but a good bet for a parade down Broad Street come fall. However, while Amaro's big moves have made him a successful GM for the majority of local fans, his inability to add smaller pieces to the puzzle still has me asking questions. Can we win? Absolutely. But could we flop? Just maybe.

JD

Andy, You're a Star

Andy, You're a Star. The Killers said it on their 2004 album "Hot Fuss," and if there is any sense in the World of Sports so will the MLB Hall of Fame ballot in years to come. Andy Pettitte, a pure winner on the mound, raises two huge questions amidst his personal Hall of Fame debate: How do we measure success, and, how quick can we forget a steroid scandal that rocked the baseball world?

First question: how do we, or how should we, measure success on a baseball mound. Andy Pettitte has never won a Cy Young Award and never was the ace of a staff. Mediocre? Hardly. His 240-138 career record gives him the most wins of any lefty in his 13 active seasons, and is complimented by two 20-win seasons, and 19 Post-season victories; the most in MLB history. Would it be significant to also mention his 5 World Series rings? Andy Pettitte doesn't have the "accolades" that some pitching icons may retire with, but is a clear cut winner, and was a sure bet for a victory on all stages throughout his career.

Question two: how quick can we forget the steroids era, especially when it pertains to Hall of Fame hopefuls. Andy Pettitte, along side Roger Clemens, was one of the hurlers who highlighted the Mitchell Report in 2007. Regardless, the "steroid-era" is touchy for all Hall of Fame voters, but should not be counted against pitchers or hitters; they all juiced, and by all I mean that at the end of the day the playing field was just about even. There are a number of voters that have publicly stated that they refuse to punch in for anyone found guilty of substance abuse. Irrationally, they plan to wipe the "steroid-era" from baseball's history, and are against giving credit where credit is due. It will always be a dark period for the game, but Pettitte, among others, still played every day, and shined while doing it.

Andy Pettitte is a Hall of Famer, and I only write this because I can anticipate those who will say he is not, and some who will even decide that he is far from it. In the face of adversity, Pettitte's name will carry the weight of success and sheer gamesmanship that ultimately sets him apart. A fierce competitor who's time should come in five years, when he walks into Cooperstown on his first and only ballot.

JD