I get that tennis isn’t a huge sport like football or baseball, and that it needs as much good press as it can get. But the news Tuesday that Andre Agassi failed a drug test in 1997 and avoided a suspension by claiming his “drink was spiked” with crystal meth is a joke.
Apparently any old excuse seems to work when trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the Association of Tennis Professionals. In July, Freshman Richard Gasquet was facing a suspension after testing positive for cocaine, but he was cleared to play by the ATP after explaining he kissed a woman who took the drug in a Miami nightclub.
Wow.
The ATP likely will come under a lot of scrutiny this week, and it’s already started. The World Anti-Doping Agency — founded in 1999 — asked the ATP to explain why Agassi was allowed to play and never served a suspension despite the failed test. According to an Associated Press story, Fahey said the WADA can’t take any action against Agassi because of the agency’s eight-year statue of limitation, and it’s “unlikely” the ATP will punish the former world No. 1.
“WADA would, however, expect the ATP, which administered its own anti-doping program at that time, to shed light on this allegation,” Fahey said in a statement.
Tennis has had its share of heartwarming stories the past few years — Federer eclipsing Sampras, the rise of Andy Murray and two amazing Wimbledon men’s finals. But it’s also seen its share of black eyes — Serena Williams and her verbal assault on a linesperson and all of the gambling accusations and issues.
Andre Agassi may have just lifted a huge monkey from his back, all while making a pretty penny in the process, but revelations like these are slowing killing the sport.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Week 7 R.I. high school football poll
For the first time all season, it’s unanimous. Rhode Island sportswriters have tabbed La Salle as the No. 1 high school football team in the state. The Rams have been No. 1 all season, but Barrington always garnered at least a couple first-place votes. Not this week. After losing to Bishop Hendricken, the Eagles fell to No. 4 — oddly enough one spot ahead of Hendricken, which jumped from 8 to 5.
With Barrington’s loss, East Providence moved up to the No. 2 spot, meaning four of the top five teams come from Division I. The only non-Division I team to crash the top 5 is South Kingstown, from II-B.
Middletown dropped a spot, from 6 to 7, after its win over Hope on Saturday. But the Islanders remain undefeated atop Division IV. Unfortunately, Middletown probably won’t reach the top 5 unless it can pull off a Thanksgiving Day win over Portsmouth.
Speaking of Portsmouth, after struggling through the murderous portion of their schedule, the Patriots beat St. Ray's 27-6 on Saturday and held strong at No. 12. Tiverton, which rolled past Smithfield 39-13, remains at No. 17.
The Barrington loss makes the Eagles’ Nov. 6 game against La Salle a little less interesting. But with all due respect to East Providence, those two very well could be headed for a D-I Super Bowl matchup.
Team Points Last week
1. La Salle (8) 160 1
2. East Providence 142 3
3. South Kingstown 136 5
4. Barrington 135 2
5. Hendricken 129 8
6. Mount Hope 113 11
7. Middletown 106 6
8. Ponaganset 99 9
9. Woonsocket 86 10
10. Cranston East 79 7
11. West Warwick 77 4
12. Portsmouth 73 12
13. Westerly 64 13
14. Coventry 60 16
15. Cranston West 57 14t
16. Johnston 53 14t.
17t. Moses Brown 29 17
17t. Tiverton 29 17
19. Cumberland 28 NR
20. St. Raphael 12 18
Dropped out (last week’s rank): Lincoln (20).
Others receiving votes: Hope 5, Classical 3, Lincoln 3, Mount Pleasant 1, Scituate 1
Participating publications: The Chariho Times, The Coventry Courier, The Cranston Herald, The East Greenwich Pendulum, The Narragansett Times, The Newport Daily News, The Northeast Independent, The North Kingstown Standard Times, The South County Independent, The Warwick Beacon, The Westerly Sun.
With Barrington’s loss, East Providence moved up to the No. 2 spot, meaning four of the top five teams come from Division I. The only non-Division I team to crash the top 5 is South Kingstown, from II-B.
Middletown dropped a spot, from 6 to 7, after its win over Hope on Saturday. But the Islanders remain undefeated atop Division IV. Unfortunately, Middletown probably won’t reach the top 5 unless it can pull off a Thanksgiving Day win over Portsmouth.
Speaking of Portsmouth, after struggling through the murderous portion of their schedule, the Patriots beat St. Ray's 27-6 on Saturday and held strong at No. 12. Tiverton, which rolled past Smithfield 39-13, remains at No. 17.
The Barrington loss makes the Eagles’ Nov. 6 game against La Salle a little less interesting. But with all due respect to East Providence, those two very well could be headed for a D-I Super Bowl matchup.
Team Points Last week
1. La Salle (8) 160 1
2. East Providence 142 3
3. South Kingstown 136 5
4. Barrington 135 2
5. Hendricken 129 8
6. Mount Hope 113 11
7. Middletown 106 6
8. Ponaganset 99 9
9. Woonsocket 86 10
10. Cranston East 79 7
11. West Warwick 77 4
12. Portsmouth 73 12
13. Westerly 64 13
14. Coventry 60 16
15. Cranston West 57 14t
16. Johnston 53 14t.
17t. Moses Brown 29 17
17t. Tiverton 29 17
19. Cumberland 28 NR
20. St. Raphael 12 18
Dropped out (last week’s rank): Lincoln (20).
Others receiving votes: Hope 5, Classical 3, Lincoln 3, Mount Pleasant 1, Scituate 1
Participating publications: The Chariho Times, The Coventry Courier, The Cranston Herald, The East Greenwich Pendulum, The Narragansett Times, The Newport Daily News, The Northeast Independent, The North Kingstown Standard Times, The South County Independent, The Warwick Beacon, The Westerly Sun.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Things that need to end ...
1) All of this bouncing and verbal jawing before football games. The Chargers and Broncos did it before the Monday night game last week, and the Florida Gators and Mississippi State Bulldogs did the same on Saturday.
Referees and coaches had to intervene to "break things up." This is the biggest crock I've ever seen. Before the game, the players try to pretend that they don't like each other, but that's bull. If they truly despised one another, they certainly wouldn't be huddling prayer after the game.
2) Predictions about how a rookie is the "next .... " after a few good games. It happened with Mark Sanchez, and he promptly went out and tossed five interceptions while leading his team to a three-game losing streak. Mark Sanchez is not the next Joe Namath, and let me save you the trouble, Michael Crabtree is not the next Jerry Rice.
3) Politicians from crappy little states calling out the Bowl Championship Series. Look, I want a playoff as much as anyone, but it's not going to happen in the near future. That being said, Utah senator Orrin Hatch needs to cool it. If you don't play in a major conference, you don't get a shot at a national championship. That's how it works.
But Hatch is no dummy. He knows how much the Utes mean to the voting public in his state, and he's trying to gain some popularity in the hopes of being re-elected. We saw it with that idiot Arlen Specter, and we're seeing it now.
Please, and this includes President Obama: leave sports alone. Do some work to make this country a bit better, because right now, it stinks.
Referees and coaches had to intervene to "break things up." This is the biggest crock I've ever seen. Before the game, the players try to pretend that they don't like each other, but that's bull. If they truly despised one another, they certainly wouldn't be huddling prayer after the game.
2) Predictions about how a rookie is the "next .... " after a few good games. It happened with Mark Sanchez, and he promptly went out and tossed five interceptions while leading his team to a three-game losing streak. Mark Sanchez is not the next Joe Namath, and let me save you the trouble, Michael Crabtree is not the next Jerry Rice.
3) Politicians from crappy little states calling out the Bowl Championship Series. Look, I want a playoff as much as anyone, but it's not going to happen in the near future. That being said, Utah senator Orrin Hatch needs to cool it. If you don't play in a major conference, you don't get a shot at a national championship. That's how it works.
But Hatch is no dummy. He knows how much the Utes mean to the voting public in his state, and he's trying to gain some popularity in the hopes of being re-elected. We saw it with that idiot Arlen Specter, and we're seeing it now.
Please, and this includes President Obama: leave sports alone. Do some work to make this country a bit better, because right now, it stinks.
Friday, October 23, 2009
NBA an agent of traveling
Any basketball fan older than about 25, on occasion, will comment about how referees never call traveling in the NBA.
Thanks to a new league rule, they don’t have to. Traveling, in moderation, is now officially legal in the NBA.
A new rule states that players are allowed to take two steps before they pass, shoot or come to a stop after picking up their dribble. Two steps before a pass or shot makes sense, and to be honest, I thought that was always the rule. Apparently the old rule, and the rule for all other levels of basketball, is one step.
But two steps while coming to a stop? That’s a joke. Try getting away with that in a pickup game.
Unfortunately, now that the NBA says two is OK, expect traveling calls this season to be at an all-time low. Because, really, have you ever seen a player called for traveling after taking two steps? Most of the time taking three doesn’t get called, and it certainly won’t now.
I realize this makes me seem like an old-timer who starts sentences with, “Back in my day,” while making observations about the game. But this rule is another step toward making the NBA more like the “NBA Street” video games than actual basketball.
Thanks to a new league rule, they don’t have to. Traveling, in moderation, is now officially legal in the NBA.
A new rule states that players are allowed to take two steps before they pass, shoot or come to a stop after picking up their dribble. Two steps before a pass or shot makes sense, and to be honest, I thought that was always the rule. Apparently the old rule, and the rule for all other levels of basketball, is one step.
But two steps while coming to a stop? That’s a joke. Try getting away with that in a pickup game.
Unfortunately, now that the NBA says two is OK, expect traveling calls this season to be at an all-time low. Because, really, have you ever seen a player called for traveling after taking two steps? Most of the time taking three doesn’t get called, and it certainly won’t now.
I realize this makes me seem like an old-timer who starts sentences with, “Back in my day,” while making observations about the game. But this rule is another step toward making the NBA more like the “NBA Street” video games than actual basketball.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Complete Air-ogance
The son of Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player of all time, is following in the footsteps of his father. No, he’s not attending the University of North Carolina. No, he’s not wining slam dunk contests, and no, he’s not leading the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships. And he’s certainly not getting into the Basketball Hall of Fame without a ticket.
Marcus Jordan, a freshman at the University of Central Florida, which has an apparel contract with adidas, said he would not wear that brand and instead don Nike’s Air Jordan shoe, named after his father, citing family pride. Family pride? Really!??!
My first reaction to this would be UCF is far from a college basketball mecca, and Marcus Jordan probably doesn’t have the skills his dad possessed. I understand that he’s a high-profile player with a high-profile father, but he’s still part of a team and making these sorts of waves as a freshman probably won’t bode well for him in the future.
Secondly, UCF athletic director Keith Tribble told a media outlet that the player can choose his own shoe, and that an instance had come up in the past when a football player wore a different brand because the team brand didn’t fit. Just don’t tell that to adidas, which, according to a spokesperson, said an agreement has yet to be reached.
Look, if I’m the CEO at adidas, and I’m paying good money to outfit these players, you’re damned right I want Michael Jordan’s kid in my shoe. The way I see it, UCF can do one of two things if he refuses to wear adidas: 1) Cut ties with the shoe company and look for another apparel company, one that complies with this little brat’s request, or 2) Yank his scholarship and the headaches already coming with it.
If neither of those work, the AD can always hit up his Airness for some cash to outfit the entire athletic program with the Swoosh.
Marcus Jordan, a freshman at the University of Central Florida, which has an apparel contract with adidas, said he would not wear that brand and instead don Nike’s Air Jordan shoe, named after his father, citing family pride. Family pride? Really!??!
My first reaction to this would be UCF is far from a college basketball mecca, and Marcus Jordan probably doesn’t have the skills his dad possessed. I understand that he’s a high-profile player with a high-profile father, but he’s still part of a team and making these sorts of waves as a freshman probably won’t bode well for him in the future.
Secondly, UCF athletic director Keith Tribble told a media outlet that the player can choose his own shoe, and that an instance had come up in the past when a football player wore a different brand because the team brand didn’t fit. Just don’t tell that to adidas, which, according to a spokesperson, said an agreement has yet to be reached.
Look, if I’m the CEO at adidas, and I’m paying good money to outfit these players, you’re damned right I want Michael Jordan’s kid in my shoe. The way I see it, UCF can do one of two things if he refuses to wear adidas: 1) Cut ties with the shoe company and look for another apparel company, one that complies with this little brat’s request, or 2) Yank his scholarship and the headaches already coming with it.
If neither of those work, the AD can always hit up his Airness for some cash to outfit the entire athletic program with the Swoosh.
Manny all washed up
Not long ago, I used this space to back Red Sox infielder Kevin Youkilis, a fiery player who wears his emotions on his sleeve. And while I appreciate his oft over-the-top antics on the field, I took a little flack from apparent baseball purists, who felt that kind of behavior goes against the game.
Well, those same people who feel there’s no place for “rah-rah” players in baseball must really love Manny Ramirez. The Dodgers outfielder and all-around slacker wasn’t there to root on his teammates during Monday night’s walk-off loss to the Phillies in the NL championship series — he was in the shower already after being replaced for defensive purposes.
This bit of team anarchy has caused quite a stir among columnists, but how could anybody be surprised by this? I mean, this is just Manny being Manny, right? Fans, especially in this part of the country, should know this routine by now. Manny does what he wants, when he wants, and the outcome of any game has little bearing on his agenda.
The Dodgers will likely be bounced from the playoffs tonight, and the person who will be the least pained is Manny. He’s already got his ring (two, in fact), and he’s not willing to go above and beyond to help some of his younger teammates get theirs.
That’s the difference between Manny and Youkilis, who had a physical confrontation in the dugout during the 2008 season — one cares only for the team, and one cares only for himself.
Sure, Youk might go over the top at times, but who would you choose to have on your team in the playoffs?
Well, those same people who feel there’s no place for “rah-rah” players in baseball must really love Manny Ramirez. The Dodgers outfielder and all-around slacker wasn’t there to root on his teammates during Monday night’s walk-off loss to the Phillies in the NL championship series — he was in the shower already after being replaced for defensive purposes.
This bit of team anarchy has caused quite a stir among columnists, but how could anybody be surprised by this? I mean, this is just Manny being Manny, right? Fans, especially in this part of the country, should know this routine by now. Manny does what he wants, when he wants, and the outcome of any game has little bearing on his agenda.
The Dodgers will likely be bounced from the playoffs tonight, and the person who will be the least pained is Manny. He’s already got his ring (two, in fact), and he’s not willing to go above and beyond to help some of his younger teammates get theirs.
That’s the difference between Manny and Youkilis, who had a physical confrontation in the dugout during the 2008 season — one cares only for the team, and one cares only for himself.
Sure, Youk might go over the top at times, but who would you choose to have on your team in the playoffs?
Monday, October 19, 2009
Week 6 R.I. High School Football Poll
Apparently none of my voting colleagues around the state are sold on Middletown yet. After another big win, over a quality Classical team, the Islanders dropped a spot in this week's poll. Come on, people. They might be in Division IV, but the Islanders are for real. I had them at No. 5 in my poll. Oh well.
It's also a little odd that Portsmouth has hung around, only falling one spot to No. 12, despite losing three straight. Granted, those three losses were to East Providence, La Salle and Barrington (Nos. 3, 1 and 2 in the state). A Patriots winning streak seems imminent as they head into what they would never admit is the soft part of their schedule.
Unfortunately, we still have a few weeks until the monumental La Salle-Barrington game on Nov. 6. That almost certainly will be a D-I Super Bowl preview, and it might be the only chance Barrington has to overtake La Salle at the top spot in the poll.
1. La Salle (5) 157 1
2. Barrington (3) 155 2
3. East Providence 142 3
4. West Warwick 128 4
5. South Kingstown 125 5
6. Cranston East 113 7
7. Middletown 111 6
8. Hendricken 101 10
9. Ponaganset 99 8
10. Woonsocket 92 9
11. Mount Hope 81 12
12. Portsmouth 65 11
13. Westerly 54 15
14t. Cranston West 50 14
14t. Johnston 50 13
16. Coventry 32 16
17. Tiverton 26 18t
18. St. Raphael 25 NR
19. Moses Brown 23 20
20. Lincoln 20 18t
Dropped out (last week’s rank): Hope (17).
Others receiving votes: Cumberland 13, Toll Gate 7, Central 3, Mount Pleasant 3, Shea 3, Classical 2, Hope 2.
Participating publications: The Chariho Times, The Coventry Courier, The
Cranston Herald, The East Greenwich Pendulum, The Narragansett Times, The
Newport Daily News, The Northeast Independent, The North Kingstown
Standard Times, The South County Independent, The Warwick Beacon, The
Westerly Sun.
It's also a little odd that Portsmouth has hung around, only falling one spot to No. 12, despite losing three straight. Granted, those three losses were to East Providence, La Salle and Barrington (Nos. 3, 1 and 2 in the state). A Patriots winning streak seems imminent as they head into what they would never admit is the soft part of their schedule.
Unfortunately, we still have a few weeks until the monumental La Salle-Barrington game on Nov. 6. That almost certainly will be a D-I Super Bowl preview, and it might be the only chance Barrington has to overtake La Salle at the top spot in the poll.
1. La Salle (5) 157 1
2. Barrington (3) 155 2
3. East Providence 142 3
4. West Warwick 128 4
5. South Kingstown 125 5
6. Cranston East 113 7
7. Middletown 111 6
8. Hendricken 101 10
9. Ponaganset 99 8
10. Woonsocket 92 9
11. Mount Hope 81 12
12. Portsmouth 65 11
13. Westerly 54 15
14t. Cranston West 50 14
14t. Johnston 50 13
16. Coventry 32 16
17. Tiverton 26 18t
18. St. Raphael 25 NR
19. Moses Brown 23 20
20. Lincoln 20 18t
Dropped out (last week’s rank): Hope (17).
Others receiving votes: Cumberland 13, Toll Gate 7, Central 3, Mount Pleasant 3, Shea 3, Classical 2, Hope 2.
Participating publications: The Chariho Times, The Coventry Courier, The
Cranston Herald, The East Greenwich Pendulum, The Narragansett Times, The
Newport Daily News, The Northeast Independent, The North Kingstown
Standard Times, The South County Independent, The Warwick Beacon, The
Westerly Sun.
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