Maryland Shows Friedgen The Door

How's this for gratitude? A coach that goes to a bowl game getting fired. That usually gets you a stay of execution in the coaching business. That wasn't enough for Maryland's Ralph Friedgen. I guess that's what happens when the offensive coordinator leaves and takes half the staff with him. 

It says Freidgen accepted a buyout. In other words, Maryland paid Fridge a lot of money to walk away to avoid an ugly firing. From what I've read on this matter from a number of sports sites, after offensive coordinator James Franklin accepted the Vanderbilt job and took a high number of assistants with him, Maryland wanted no part of having Friedgen come back. I guess the higher ups on the athletic department were worried how well Friedgen would do after losing the assistants and they also weren't interested in working out an extension. That would've made Fridge a lame duck coach going into next season.

Let me sort this out. Friedgen leads a bum ass program from nothing to 7 bowl games and a BCS berth and ACC championship since he's been there. He lifted the program back to respectability, something not seen since the Boomer Esiason days. Not to mention he won ACC coach of the year twice, including this season. And this is how you reward him. Can him in the middle of bowl game preparations. I'm not saying he was Bear Bryant or anything but they could've kept him around for at least two more seasons. But what the hell do I know, maybe there's more to this than I know.

Maryland will be looking for a coach and right now all rumors are pointing toward former Texas Tech head boss Mike Leach. That would be a home run hire if they're able to land Leach. I can't confrm or deny the Leach rumor but that is what's being thrown out there right now. 

   

Zack Greinke Wants Out

You can count Kansas City Royals pitcher Zack Greinke among pro athletes that wants out. Greinke has fired his agent and made a trade demand.

I'm not surprised by this at all. If Royals general manager Dayton Moore didn't see this coming, he's as blind as Ray Charles. Now Kansas City has to trade him. I know Greinke has a contract, and management doesn't have to do anything. But when you've been in a perpetual cycle of losing, the cards that you have to play equals to bluffing. It was different before Greinke said he wanted out. The Royals could've waited for the best package to come their way, now they can't have a possible malcontent on board with a history of depression. As for Greinke, I can't blame him. I'd want out too. They're not close to winning and don't spend enough to win. He would be far from motivated to put his best efforts on display for a team going nowhere.

Greinke has a no trade clause to 15 teams. The Yankees, Red Sox, Nationals, Blue Jays, and Brewers are on that list. I suspect the Red Sox and Yankees probably can offer the most attractive packages. If I were the Yankees I'd be worried that Greinke could go Ed Whitson on them. I do think the Texas Rangers will be the most agressive pursuer after losing Cliff Lee to the Phillies. That would be my best bet. But I didn't see Lee going to the Phillies either. Well, neither did anyone else, so what do we know.

On a personal note, it's pretty sad to see the Royals franchise in their current state. When I was growing up they were one of the model franchises in the league. Now they're one of the worse run franchises. I really don't see how the St. Louis Cardianls can find money to stay competitive but Kansas City can't. Maybe i just don't know much about the economics of baseball.

Tigers Re-Sign Ordonez And I'm Still Not Sold On Them

When I heard the Detroit Tigers made a free agent signing my ears perked up with a bit of enthusiam. Then I heard what the signing was. It was Magglio Ordonez coming back for one year and $10 million. A good signing, but not exactly a discount deal. It's more than I would've tried to re-sign him for. Don't get me wrong, I like that they brought him back. I just feel they could've done more with their money.

When I say they could've done more with their money, here's what I mean. The Tigers still have some holes. I've stated that they should've looked at some low cost free agent options. Be creative. Sign a younger player that has a track record of some success. Incentive laden, minor league deal with an invite to spring training, or whatever. I don't know the ins and outs of a major league front office, but when I see Austin Kearns helping the Yankees last year and available on the market, I ask myself why not sign him. Like I said before, if he can't cut it, cut him. It's all at minimal cost. Obviously the Tigers don't operate this way. I'm not saying they would win the division or be a World Series contender this way, but this team isn't getting any younger nor is there immediate help from within on the way.

This team looks a lot like last year's and they're still trying to catch lightning in a bottle. Meaning, they keep trying to recreate 2006 and that just isn't going to happen. They still need another starter and bullpen arm. Also a solid corner outfielder and second baseman would help. I know there doesn't appear to be much out there on the market but sometimes someone just needs a change of scenery. I'm not sold on Phil Coke and Armando Galarraga as the fourth and fifth starters. Hell, why not bring Jeremy Bonderman back and keep working that experiment. I'm not sold on Carlos Guillen being able to last a whole season at second base or anywhere else for that matter. I'm not sold on Brandon Inge at third either. For the "power arms" the Orioles gave up to get Mark Reynolds from Arizona, the Tigers could've given up something. He may have whiffed about 200 times, but you would have some more thunder in the lineup.

Simply put, I'm glad Ordonez is back. I'm just not too thrilled with how the team is constructed. It's going to take a lot to sell me on this team being a contender. Being competitive into September isn't good enough.         

Werth Is A Little Peeved At Lee

Cliff Lee and Jayson Werth had a special bond while they were teammates in Philadelphia. You know the story of Lee being shipped to Seattle before last season. I guess they were still boys despite being on different coasts. As free agency rolled around, Lee and Werth had talked about possibly ending up in the same place.

When Werth signed with the Washington Nationals that went out the window. Even though The Nationals made a slight play for Lee, it was nothing serious. Lee eventually signed Philadelphia and now they'll be division rivals. Werth doesn't seem to pleased about the turn of events.

"When he found out I was coming here, he wasn't the happiest person in the world", Lee said. I guess Werth is pouting because instead of playing together, they'll be rivals. Lee will be in the penthouse and Werth will be looking up at him since we all know the Nationals aren't going anywhere. It could also be because the Phillies couldn't find enough money to sign Werth, but pulled it out their behinds to sign Lee.

Maybe the Phillies thought they would be overpaying to keep Werth, and maybe know something we don't.


"The news in Philadelphia, they got their boy back, I guess," Werth said. "That's fine. I think that's good. I like that. If you're going to be the best, you've got to beat the best. They make their plays, and we're going to make ours.  Jayson, I don't think your team will be making too many plays.

Oakland's Win Over Vols Could Go A Long Way

The Oakland Golden Grizzlies finally got the signature win they'd been seeking. Oakland knocked off No.7 Tennessee 89-82 in Knoxville. That probably ranks as the biggest win in Oakland's history. Consider this. Tennessee had just throttled then No.3 Pittsburgh on the road Saturday.

I know what a lot of pundits are saying. They had a hangover after thier win over Pitt. Well they also overlooked an Oakland team that is capable of playing with anyone. The Vols should've done their homework and prepared for more vigorously. This was Oakland's fourth game against a Top 25 team and after a few near misses they finally got their upset. Greg Kampe is doing a very good job of coaching his team up and convincing them that they shouldn't be afraid of anyone. You also have to give credit to the kids who've played their hearts out and finally got the confidence buiding win to put Oakland on the map.

As long as they don't get overconfident they should go nearly undefeated in their conference. I know it's a bold proclamation, but it's highly possible.  

I Can't Feel Sorry For The Yankees

The New York Yankees have been very quiet during free agency. They've signed no marquee players or made any blockbuster trades. News of the Philadelphia Phillies signing Cliff Lee was a big surprise to a lot. Including the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees.

The Yankees money couldn't get him to the Big Apple. They practically offered him the world (money and 7 years)and he went back to Philly. The only player the Yankees could get was L.A. Dodgers catcher Russell Martin. Big deal huh?

I guess Lee really never wanted to leave Philadelphia and now he gets to go back and possibly make another World Series trip. Meanwhile the Yankees have C.C. Sabathia and not much else behind him in the rotation. It's hard to feel sorry for them not getting their man, but personally I love it. I'm glad their money can't buy everyone. Now they might fall back to the pack a little. I wish I could say the same about the Red Sox, so we won't have to watch those "epic" Yankees/Red Sox matchups every time a national game comes on. 

Tell Me Why Donald Sterling Is Heckling His Own Players

Happy times in Clipperland. The worse owner ever in professional sports Donald Sterling has taken to heckling and belittling his own players. Sterling is the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Why Sterling is doing that to his own players, only he knows and he's not saying anything. His main target has been big money point guard, Baron Davis. He's also thrown darts at center Chris Kaman. Kaman, who is sidelined right now, has found it amusing.

  "All kinds of stuff," Kaman said. "Some stuff like, 'Oh, dunk the ball.' He owns the team. What do you want me to say? He's my boss. He signs the check. He owns me."Not really, but you know what I'm saying. My rights to my basketball skills for five years."

Sterling would prefer not to pay Davis and has been reported as saying "he wants his money back." A league source says he wants to do it, but obviously can't do it.

Some within the organization aren't too thrilled. You can count me as an outsider who isn't either. Especially since this is a classic moment of the pot calling the kettle black.

Sterling has been known to be one of the cheapest owners in the NBA. Only a few years ago did he start trying to improve the product on the court. They never win and he won't sell the team. The Clippers are nothing more to him than something to improve his social standing. That way he can tell his high falutin buddies, "hey, I own an NBA team". Hell, former general manager Elgin Baylor took the brunt of the heat that should've been directed toward Sterling. Another thing, it's not like he's some kind of basketball savant.
He's probably never played, or even picked up a basketball. He probably didn't even know what one looked like until he owned the Clippers. Davis could probaly kick his ass in a game of 21with a peg leg and wooden arm.

He claims he wants the best for all his players when asked about heckling Davis. Fooled me. The guy is flat out cheap, just ask ex coach Paul Silas, whom he asked to tape players himself to cut costs. Better yet ask former tenants of his apartment buildings. Or a local lawyer who had to sue Sterling for fraud over a $1000 prize he won in a free throw shooting contest. Those were in the San Diego days. Google stories about the guy and you'll see why he has no reason whatsoever to run around heckling anyone.
  http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/6435/donald-sterling-one-creepy-story-after-another
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4187729