Playing with a cool confidence that brought him victory in last week’s TPC, Tiger Woods appears poised to regain his top form, likely to surpass Sam Snead in PGA career wins (78 / 82) and must surely be growling to get his paws on another majors-trophy (14), moving him one step closer to Jack Nicklaus’ iconic mark of 18.

Tiger’s “burning bright (Blake)” and on the comeback trail.  Not much debate there.

A sports commentator, co-host on one of ESPN’s legion of radio-TV amalgamations (like we can’t get enough), the guy who looks like he knows his way around a country club or two, opinioned on Monday that Tiger “never lost it.”  Uh-huh, sure, buddy.

Woods never fell off the map a la John Daly, and god knows the love-struck media always kept his picture pasted-up in their collective locker (the one nobody ever cleans out (Barkley)), but he definitely lost his game, the Tiger I game, that is. That was the game where he won 14 majors in the short span of 12 years, including 8 top-3 finishes.

Since his US Open triumph in ‘08, his last topper, the record up to 2013 had been rather spotty by Woods’ standards, one of physical (08 knee / 10-11), emotional (spousal 09-10) and strategic instability (coach 10 / caddy 11).

Now he’s juuust about back, a nice, long putt away. Uh oh.

He eased into the #1 ranking earlier this year like it was nobody’s business. And nobody seems to want to make it their business, not Mickelson, not McIlroy, nobody.

While there have been some special golfers alongside Woods in his career (Singh / Mickelson / Els), his lengthy and certain dominance of the PGA up to 2009 may’ve stymied other potential greats that would’ve otherwise made their marks.

Psychology is big in sport. The awareness that Woods was always on the prowl, ready to pounce on the lead and not let go caused more than a few yips amongst his competitors.

After Tiger’s fall, things on the Tour loosened-up with a new face hoisting PGA hardware nearly every week. I don’t think we’ve had a repeat winner in a major in…it seems ages. Now the field is feeling the pressure again with Tiger back in play. But there’s a difference this time around. Unlike Tiger I, version II can lead early, falter late, or come on late and still come up short.

He’s already won four Tour events this season (FIO / WGCC / API / TPC) and might’ve nabbed the Masters in April if he hadn’t faltered late. And there in lay the puzzler.

Tiger Woods could be playing the best golf of his life. Not just because of his near-dominant, rejuvenated play on the course, but because of the depths from which he rose.

Rehabbing & Rebounding

The work & patience needed to recover from lingering, years long physical maladies, the survival instinct one must tap into to overcome the gut-wrenching, emotional body-blows suffered in the break-up of a marriage takes a deep well of strength and endurance just to survive. Then, to regain your top tee form, that’s a tremendous and a very different success-story from the steady stream of accolades that came so surely in Tiger’s halcyon days of youth.

But he’s not there yet. Tiger Woods has family & friends he cares for deeply, corporate relationships he honors, but in his competitive world of golf he lives for one thing and one thing only: the majors. I take issue with that mind-set, believing the career PGA Tour wins record, held currently by Slammin’ Sam, to be of equal, if not greater importance. To each his own, but until Woods figures a way to win another topper tourney he can’t be considered ‘back.’ That’s his standard, not mine.

Even if he does breakthrough that mental barrier, I think two, maybe three majors is the rosy scenario for Mr. Woods. He’s young, comparatively speaking, but Jack’s record won’t fall, not in this era.

He came close in this year’s Masters (4th) and has done as much in a handful of other majors since ‘08, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades. There’s clearly a mental-wall in winning a major he cannot yet breach in Tiger II time.

Maybe Lindsey Vonn proves a stabilizing force in his life, giving him another rope to grab onto in making the climb. You might think her spotlight-craving persona would work against that happening but Tiger’s cut from a similar cloth, more mechanical to be sure, but needing just as much attention. Birds of a feather and all that jazz.

As he doesn’t need the money, it’s that ego, that love of fame, the emotional high of which Vonn is all too familiar with that one rides after winning a major competition which just might keep Tiger motivated and in the game long enough to equal or best Jack’s major-mark. Friends (LV) & associates (Nike) sure hope so.

ESPN’s Colin Cowherd and Kurt Rambis were having a friendly debate last Thursday on LeBron v. Durant, CC taking KD, Kurt favoring the reigning MVP. Cowherd believes America loves the OKC leader because of his court-play, quirkiness and class conduct.

Colin shanked this one. He’s a bright guy but also a bit of a carnival barker.

America doesn’t love Kevin Durant, not yet, anyway. America loves LeBron James because America loves a winner. Until Kev hoists Mr. O‘Brien he’s just a curious, high-scoring, well-liked, very wealthy NBA All-Star.

America loves Tiger too, even while he’s been stuck in major-neutral for good part of five years. He’s got so much hardware on that mantle, so much positive press, still has enough ringing endorsements that love is almost required. It’s not of the variety that was accorded the likes of Magic or Cal Ripken, but certainly more than a crush. And for plenty of people it’s a full-blown, heart-felt devotion conferred upon Mr. Woods.

Woods’ next chance at full fruition comes June 13-16 when the Keystone State hosts the US Open in Haverford Township at the Merion Golf Club (Ardmore).

Don’t expect a Sergio-like dust-up for Woods in Pennsylvania. Those two have a history.

It takes two to tango or tangle, as it were, and Tiger can always count on a marshal for necessary cover, but Woods “should’ve know better” at TPC. His huge success creates tendency towards haughty-taughty and not surprisingly rubs some the wrong way. The recent trouble at Sawgrass (FL) was of little consequence to TW’s game but that won’t always be the result. If he wants back in the major league Woods has gotta’ work harder to prevent avoidable distractions or expect to keep coming up short on the bigger stage. That goes for you too, Mr. Garcia.

The experts say Merion plays well for Woods, something about course design, straight fairways and such jargon. You might as well talk about pairings or ions in the atmosphere. Good golf is, in large part, about three things: concentration, judgment and adaptability. If Tiger Woods wants that all elusive 15th major there’s just one point of play he needs to hone. He might even stitch it onto his golf glove: drive for show, putt for dough.

Then you hear the crowd roar.

Steven Keys

Brass Tacks

Photo Credit:  T. Woods / 4-23-09 / T. Hipps / US Army Press / wc.cc

Last updated:  5/21/13 @ 2:12 PM

“To (play) or not to (play), that is the (thorny) question” swirling around Derrick Rose and every NBA roundtable on the North American continent.

The beef: Is the 2010-11 MVP still recuperating and wisely sitting out these playoffs or clutching to tight to fear of re-injuring his reconstructed and all important knee?

Some trust Derrick in this dust-up.

Rose is the patient. It’s his knee. Post surgery, Rose’s doctors can test, interpret, assess, prescribe, diagnose and advise on their handy work but only the patient can feel the result and compare the knee’s repaired-state to the past, before the ACL tear.

While the phrase “cleared to play” has frequently been dropped into the conversation by Rose critics, we know now that he’s only been cleared “to practice” and then his progress subject to on-going team assessment (S. Smith / OTL / ESPN / 5-6).

Superstars are a special breed. They can do things, see things…not “ghosts” necessarily (R. Clark: NFLPA & Mr. Smith have got to sign-off on real drug-testing, STAT), but things that never fly onto the radar of us mere mortals. Rose is Chicago’s franchise man and plays at a very high level, as evidenced by his own fearless flight pattern when on the court, putting his knee and every other joint, muscle and tendon to tremendous pressure and then requiring optimum physical well-being.

What about Adrian Peterson? Does “All-Day” now become the standard for knee surgeries after his miraculous recovery in 2012? He could be, but isn’t that a little like making Bill Gates the standard by which every business entrepreneur is to measured? Adrian’s comeback was unprecedented and I suspect sport surgeons are not ready just yet to set-the-bar quite so high.

Besides, Derrick always has these excuses for the street cloths: ‘everybody’s different’ and ‘basketball ain’t football’ and yada yada yada. All true enough.

How might Derrick’s return impact Chicago’s chemistry? You might think this a fine time for his return after thumping Bulls got from Miami Wednesday night (G2 / 78-115). But G2 was near-must win for Salsa City and emotions ran high. CHI should have no trouble re-aligning at home for G3, Rose or not. Any team making R2 knows their Table of Elements, “gar-ohn-teed (D. Heffernan).”

Then there’s the element of risk. If you think athletes, even top talent, mesh quickly on the court, you don’t know b-ball. As Mr. Iverson can attest, it takes time beyond practice to gel (“Practice?”), especially for a man who’s been away from the game for a year. That’s extra time no team can afford in the PS. And with intensified pressure to perform, testing a re-fashioned knee of a franchise player is courting disaster, a courtship Bulls’ coach Thibodeau and owner Reinsdorf probably just assume not engage for this dance.

And then who are we to question Derrick’s recovery routine when his teammates, at least publicly, are covering his back and cool with the sit (“Joakim Noah”: “(critics) should really shut up” / ESPN / 5-7 / Friedell).

Others believe only what they see.

These people connect with radio provocateurs like former NFL’er John Jurkovic (ESPN Chicago). John believes Derrick’s “afraid” to suit up, unable or unwilling to cross that mental barrier post-surgery patients can sometimes have trouble breaching (OTL 5-6).

It’s not far-fetched that a man would be over-cautious on his recovery, all too aware of the countless cases of NBA players who ventured back onto the court too soon after surgery and never again regained full freedom of use. And then who’s to say that Derrick does not hold a certain sway over the opinions of Bulls’ medical staff, influencing their decision on whether or not to give the all-clear for game-play?

If Rose is determined to sit out this entire season, whether that’s rationally based or careful to a fault, don’t expect Bulls’ doctors to publicly contradict their superstar and give full clearance to play. Better safe than sorry, right?

Besides maybe helping this year’s team topple the defending champs, a return now might provide Rose a good physical and mental test for next season. The problem, you never want to enter this kind of fray at much less than 100%. Stoudemire (NYK), well, he’s horse of a different color, so to speak. Amar’e re-enters his fray (IND) bearing a dissimilar injury and runs a different race from DR at this point in his career (Y10).

This debate only intensifies if the Bulls defy the odds-makers and take more games from the Heat. But don’t expect a Rose return in this Miami series with the rough & tumble course it’s taken. And if by some chance Chicago advances, the chemistry concern then looms even larger while Derrick might look more the bandwagoneer.

The question on Derrick’s return has likely been answered: next season. So when the arm-chair agitators question your heart, Mr. Rose, not to worry. The Bard, the ol’ Earl of Oxford, Ed de Vere (aka: Shakespeare) penned a line for nearly every occasion, yours too: “This above all, to thine own self be true.”

Steven Keys

Nothing But Net

Photo Credit: Derrick Rose / 12-26-12 / nikk la / Flickr / wc.cc

I hope Tim Tebow finds a landing spot in the NFL, somewhere, anywhere, setting-up under center or testing out tight end, wearing Jacksonville teal or Green Bay green, it doesn’t matter.

Tim should be in the show.

Some folks look forward to the day when Tebow disappears altogether from the game.

Love the man or hate him (most find TT a curiosity), Tim moves the meter. He hasn’t been moving the chains for quite some time but when he does lace ‘em up and take the field there‘s always a storyline. And for someone who fancies himself a sportswriter, Tim’s food for thought, or as Martha Stewart used to purr, “a good thing (for scribblers).”

After being released (waived) by the Jets last Monday and going un-claimed for 24 hours, the former Heisman winner and 3-year NFL veteran turned vagabond is now free to fly wherever he chooses and gets clearance to land.

With no NFL team as yet publicly expressing interest in bringing the Gator great on board, the Canadian game with its wide-open play would seem the next best thing for an out-of-work gridiron man with Tim‘s credentials. But there’s a catch.

Only the Montreal Alouettes are empowered to contract with Tebow and have stated they have no interest presently in the NFL castoff (LA Times / “Tim” / 4-30 / Schilken). Maybe Timbo’s a “King of Queens“ fan (Canadian-born Doug Heffernan: “Nothing good ever happens in Montreal!”), because he’s expressed no desire to head north of the 49th and follow in the footsteps of NFL greats Joe Theismann, Warren Moon & Doug Flutie.  And Montreal’s a terrific town, should get another shot at MLB.

As expected, the lower tier circuits (Arena, Champions & Legends (Lingerie) leagues) wasted no time floating frivolous offers to Tim. Tebow still carries enough cachet to give booster shot to their respective spectacles but none has ponied-up more than chicken feed (Fox / “Report” / 5-2 / Whitmire).

So, it looks like the NFL has gotta’ find a place for Tim, otherwise it’s onto missionary work or the lucrative lecture circuit where LeRoy Butler found a second career. I see a $25,000 standard appearance fee in Tim‘s future, which figure will fluctuate, depending on the stand he opts for concerning openly-gay athletes.

An anonymous NFL Suit dropped the word “radioactive” recently in describing the effect Tebowmania would have on a ball-club. If true, it’s a bit hyperbolic but he might have a small point. Tim can be a spotlight-devouring black hole, his great popularity drawing-in any vibe that comes within range, like the gravitational pull of a collapsing star.

I feel kinda’ bad for the dude, as bad as you can feel for a Heisman winning, NCAA champion who’s spiritually centered and has a net worth somewhere around $25M.

I write that, even as I champion a different credo than Tim and reject his style of play.

In the spiritual realm, let‘s just say, allegorically speaking, I’m Spencer Tracy (Darrow) to Tim Tebow’s Frederick March (Bryan) (Inherit the Wind). Check it out.

Sportwise, the athleticism displayed by TT and other flash-QBs makes ‘em a big hit with kids & jersey-makers but its throwback style (single-wing tailback) also makes them aberrations. There are just too many bright minds with too many tools at their disposal today to allow single-pronged offensive attacks to succeed for long. That’s why you’ll likely never see another QB run wild like Col. Kaepernick did against Green Bay.

Rabbit at the first whiff of trouble, diss the art of defensive-read and refuse to weather the pocket storm, run-QB’s now the rage on campus where ‘Coach Don’t Teach,’ but is just another ball-hogging, oft-injured, playground star who’ll run out his string in the NFL.

General managers must bear equal blame with do-little college coaches who thrust the entire offensive playbook into the hands of one, run-around QB. This might’ve been a golden age for tight ends, d-backs and Percy Harvin-like wide-outs in the NFL. Instead, GMs & owners feed the fallacy that men like Tim Tebow and RG3 are NFL quarterbacks.

Be that as it may, ol’ Timbo got a raw deal in his brief NFL sojourn.

One of the biggest sport phenomena to ever come down the pike and the Jets pull a Newt, letting Tim “wither on the vine” in a ‘12 season which saw green & white go a pathetic 6-10 while desperately in need of a spark that never came. Mark Sanchez is a fine QB but when it didn’t happen by WK12 (blame to go around), it wasn’t GOING to happen.

Most observers peg Tim as passer-challenged. His pedestrian comp-% from Denver days bears out the assessment (47%). And it’s true, he had precious few suitors this time last year when cut lose by the Broncos and, if you believe John Elway, narrowed the field further in nixing a possible Jacksonville deal, apparently favoring the big-market & bright lights of the Big Apple. That‘s one Timbo might like back.

But it’s also fair to say that no (near) rookie QB, regardless of his stats, would’ve kept his job in Denver with a name like Manning on the open-market and a GM with a weakness for well-decorated field generals.

Once Tim hooked-up with the Jets, an organization that’s been drifting into disarray for two years now, his goose was pretty much cooked. What NYJ did to Tebow‘s momentum, a man with an 8-6, 1-1 (PS) record, was nothing short of shameful.

‘In for a penny, in for a pound’ must be a Midwestern thing as Jets’ owner Wood Johnson and Rex Ryan gave Tebow just under 30 plays in 16 games. Lin-sanity did better in one week on Houston time than Tebowmania did in a whole season with gang green.

Now Tebow is yesterday‘s newspaper: over-analyzed, pushed to the margin and a dated resume. He’s still got game and can enhance marketability if he’d stop clutching so tight to the ego-trip that is quarterback and go back to his original HS spot, tight-end. He’s built for the job, has receiver hands, a nose for the zone and enjoys contact. It’s a cinch.

But like all fleet-of-foot college signal-callers, Tim has the mistaken belief he’s a natural under center because…he likes to run (go figure) and any other spot is beneath his dignity: “with humility comes wisdom (Prov 11:2).”

It doesn’t take a giant leap of faith to see that Vick – RG3 would’ve excelled in the DB / WR / return-man slots and Tebow – Kaepernick (who needed a flare to find the end-zone in SB46 pre-blackout) are made in the TE mold. Stubborn is as stubborn does.

If this marks the end of Tebow’s NFL odyssey it’s gonna’ be an awful strange way to go out. Strange for a guy who performed admirably off the bench as a nay rookie, won a playoff game on a nice toss, got moved out less than a month later by a legend and then got buried on the sideline of team that was in full funk from the firing gun.

Ironically, it may’ve been the conservative NFL business agenda that did in religious conservative Tim Tebow‘s football career. It’s an agenda that knows exactly where the money’s coming from and then favors predictability over chance. Tim’s a tremendous curiosity for fans and media but has now been tagged, too chancy.

He is currently the NFL‘s biggest “Nowhere Man,” but Tim’s strong faith in himself and his deity will get him safely to the next competition, whatever and wherever that may be.

If you just remember this Beatles’ line, Tim, you‘ll be okay: “Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, brah!…la la how the life goes on. And if you want some fun, sing ob-la-di-bla-da.”

Steven Keys

NFL Hunch Line

Photo Credit:  Starlito, Tebow & L. Garrett / 11-1-2012 / wc.cc / LG

Owners rule.

If you think GMs call the shots on NFL Draft night (4-25 / 8P / NFLN) you might want to crawl outside your bubble for a spell and take a quick gander at the real world.

The General Manager is a wheel, a big-shot in the realm of football. He’s the owner’s right-hand man, to be sure. They know the numbers, mold the team and steer the ship. But it’s the owners who captain the vessel and set the draft course.

Some owners are hands on, comfortable rubbing shoulders with media and, once in a blue moon, fans too, in belief that PR is a key component of their position (Jones / Bowlen / Lurie / late Al Davis); some stay more or less in the background (Wilson / Rooney) as age has a way of changing priorities, and still others are just too numerous to gauge (112,158 GB stockholders).

In the Packers’ unique case, the corporation “is governed by a seven-member Executive Committee, elected from the 45 Board of Directors” who in turn are chosen by the shareholders. The team President (Murphy) is voted in and hires the GM (Thompson) with Board approval to run day-to-day operations (Wikipedia). Got all that? Once I started I couldn’t stop.

You don’t have be an NFL insider to surmise that Misters Murphy & Thompson have a free hand in draft decisions. But that shouldn’t preclude the opinionated big-cheese Board member or Committee cufflink, from time to time, trying to impose his (her?) draft desires on the Packers’ brain-trust. Gotta’ get some perks from the job, right?

And how would I know the workings of NFL owners & GMs, apart from reading those autobiographies nobody reads? I’m no insider.

Because logic dictates that while the boss may come up empty if queried on combine stats or a point of player contract, they form opinions about people & play-calling just like anybody else and should have no qualms about expressing those views to the guys they pay to listen, i.e., the Managers in General.

Not every gridiron chieftain is created equal. Some are emotionally invested in their sporting enterprise, others may take more pleasure manning the yacht and watching the market sizzle. But one way or another every one of ’em has his hands on the controls. Bank on it.

And no draft decision today is more telling of owner ilk than that of a quarterback.

Before Michael Vick hit the scene (ATL ‘01), Ws and championship metallica were the tale of the tape on where an owner stood, an indicator of his commitment, his vision and the direction he’d set for his NFL venture.

Not anymore. Now celebrity & sales (apparel & merchandise / TV time) can move an owner’s meter more than Super Bowl glitteralia.

DC’s Dan Snyder, while surely disappointed at his team’s early playoff exit and troubled by his young QB’s knee bang, is, nonetheless, tickled pink over Bob’s celebrity status which has his jersey flying off the warehouse shelves and probably does almost as much to energize the Washington community as did February’s Super win for Ravens-land.

And though none of these men led, or have yet to lead their respective clubs to the title, there’s no denying the hullabaloo and revenue that such a style of play can generate: Vick (ATL ‘01-06 / PHI ‘09-pres), Young (TEN ‘06-10), Tebow (DEN ‘10-11), Newton (CAR ‘11-pres), Kaepernick (SF ‘11-pres) and Bob Griffin (DC ‘12-pres).

What this all means is, flash-QB, that college star who ran 5000 yards ‘cause coach don’t like to teach, and will now need 2-3 years to learn a whole new (pocket) skill-set, will, nevertheless, likely be drafted high & mighty because some owners will favor the more certain coinage from celebrity & athleticism over the harder to come by championship metal, Mr. Lombardi.

Whether you jump for joy ‘cause you think your GM picked a crop of keepers or are pulling your hair out at their mind-boggling mental maneuvers, remember this, the NFL draft in NYC is a well-orchestrated, sometimes noisy, very crowded, well-lit, crap-shoot where the hand of greatest influence may be 1000s of miles away dropping anchor off the coast of Acapulco.

Now hop back in your plastic house, friend. Don’t want no bubble-boy incident on my hands.

Steven Keys

NFL Hunch Line

Photo Credit: Cmdr. Jones & Woody Johnson / 8-11-09 / USN / wc.cc

“From a jack tooooo a kiiiiing.” That’s LeBron Raymone James.

Country crooner Ned Miller could’ve been foretelling the odyssey of Miami’s majestic one with the title of his ‘62 crossover hit.

From highly-touted high school phenom (Akron), to celebrated draftee (#1 ‘03), erstwhile underachiever (’07), scorned defector (MIA) and MVP totting NBA champ (’12), Le. James has finally claimed the throne so many had presaged.

Though Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, two-time titlist teammate Dwyane Wade, Finals force Chris Bosh and the rest of Miami’s squad contributed nicely to the conquest (OKC) that secured King James long-awaited coronation, generously spreading the love is not how it’s done in the sporting world.

It’s all about celebrity and there is but one crown. The team gets booty ($) and medals (rings) while the Finals MVP gets a well-deserved scepter and steady-stream of adoration.

But before his Highness gets too comfy in his royal state he should be aware he faces yet another crossroad in his storied and oh-so scrutinized career.

Unlike previous junctures (college vs. NBA, Miami or Cleveland), this intersection is not of his own choosing and the landing-spots not entirely within his control.

The destinations: a little hamlet know as ‘Greatness’ (Pop. 21), and the other, a terrific town that all too rarely topped America‘s ‘Best Basketball Place’ called ‘Wilt City.’

If James can lead his Heat to a repeat feat in taking another Larry O’Brien Trophy he’ll be in the driver’s seat cruising down Legacy Lane and headed straight for Greatness.

Back-to-backs mean dynasty and that would put LeBron and his Heat teammates in select company, a rarified-air few in this current NBA have inhaled, with team president Pat Riley and a handful of current Spurs & Lakers being among the lucky.

And another title is looking better-than-fair for favored MIA, having secured PS home-court with NBA’s top tally (65-16), set 2nd longest win-streak in NBA history (27), showcasing the 2012 MVP, exude a confidence that “super-abounds” after last year’s break-through win and face a field of competition that hardly sends shivers down one’s spine.

But LeBron’s got “miles to go” before he can buy that beachfront lot in Greatness.

With just one title in tow nobody, not even LRJ, can be sure which guy will show up in these playoffs: the hard-driving, post-season MVP of 2012 or the fade-away fella who saw Dirk Nowitzki take him and his Heat to school in 2011. The precedent here’s open to interpretation.

These Knicks are smoother (‘12) but Celtics are a tough draw, Bulls a darkhorse and Heat top the East. In the West, Clippers seek their first Final since birth (Buffalo), Grizzlies the darkhorse and until Westbrook (and Rondo) plays to his position (OKC) and Spurs time-travel back (age), both clubs will need all the stars in alignment to reach Finals ‘13.

If the Heat by chance drop the ball these playoffs, detouring from Greatness, watch as the Wilt Chamberlain comparisons begin for LeBron in earnest.

“Stilt” was the most talented player in the history of b-ball and did not lack for toughness, but the gold standard is the ring count, an item Chamberlain conceded far too frequently to nemesis Bill Russell and the Celtics.

If the Heat do win BTBs and forge dynasty, something Wilt & Co. never did (PHI / LAL), will that put King James on the Emperor’s throne as the greatest all-time (“GAT“)? Many a writer are today preparing to make just such a claim on LRJ in anticipation.

But not this scribbler. That the Heat will hoist another O’Brien in 2013 is a pretty good guess. James going GAT? That‘s a whole ‘nother conversation.

While the NBA gold standard is measured in championship metallica, it is weighted by it’s karat-count, competition.

Neither LeBron, nor Jordan for that matter, faced Finals foes the likes of Russell, Elgin, Oscar, Wilt or West, Willis, Walton or Jabbar, Larry, Julius, Moses or prime Magic.

MVPs glitter, scoring titles carry cachet, All-Defensive teams show substance, All-Star accolades are cute costume jewelry and who you beat matters BIG time.

And the ‘BIG matters’ Heat could face this PS: Kobe & Dirk are out, Duncan, Pierce & Garnett will be present while Nash & Parker are <100%; rising stars Rose (out), Durant, Randolph, Anthony, Harden, Howard, Paul, Griffin, J. Smith, George, Deron, Westbrook, Rondo, Amar‘e, Curry and Noah have more to prove before they add to the karat count.

Might there come a day when LeBron is referred to as ‘the greatest?’ He already is in some circles. But consider that those are the same folks that when the next highly-hyped star comes down the pike they’ll be calling that guy ‘the greatest’ first chance they get.

Because of the competition-gap, because of his ‘Johnny come lately’ status in the title category (Y10) and the orchestration employed to fashion his Miami championship melody that left more than a few people miffed, it’s doubtful James will ever overtake the names Magic, Russell or Chamberlain when historians rank the best ever.

In his favor is the man’s age, still a youngish 28 (12-30). Amazing. If he avoids the serious injury bug, can cajole ownership to keep investing, stay hungry and play another ten years, those MVPs should keep coming and with no other player today under-30 who plays to his caliber, more titles should be had.

The big question: Does LeBron James even care about GAT? Maybe not. He probably needs one, maybe two more titles to feel fully validated but with all the fame, fortune and accolades he’ll have accumulated he might just decide to hang ‘em up at 35 and leave the rest to fans & media to sort out.

Whether or not LeBron James ever dons ‘greatest all-time’ regalia, there’s no doubt he’s ready to set down roots in that exclusive community know as Greatness. It’s a place fit for a king.

Steven Keys

Nothing But Net

Photo Credit: “Cesar” / WC.CC / 3-30-2011 / LeBron James

Vince Lombardi is famous for saying “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” Point in fact, it wasn’t one of his proudest moments.

For starters, the legendary Packers’ coach borrowed the line from adorable & talented child actress Sherry Jackson. She uttered the famous words sitting next to the lovely Donna Reed in the John Wayne movie “Trouble Along the Way (‘53): “Like Steve says (her Dad), winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.”

And then there’s the other thing. The line doesn’t exactly make sense. If victory is the “only thing,” that’s “everything” too, right? Right.

What bothered Vince was the wrong impression it gave people. It made him sound like a narrow-minded, boob-head who couldn’t appreciate the reality of sport, which is: a team can play with heart, play smart and still come-up-short. The effort oughta’ count for something and in reality Vince knew as much.

And in the ‘come-up-short’ department not many NFL’ers have a bigger office with a nicer view and supportive staff than Mr. Tony Romo.

To the surprise of few (count chatty teammate DeMarcus Ware among that tiny group (Sirius XM / 4-4)), Tone came-up-big last Friday when he signed a contract extension which might, depending on health and term triggers, keep him in Big D the rest of his playing career (6Y, $108M, $40M-Gtd (CBS / JK / “Romo“ / 3-29)).

It’s an un-godly sum of money in a sinfully rich game for a quarterback who’s led his team to but one playoff win (‘09) since taking the Cowboy reigns in ‘06, a win quickly forgotten when the following week Dallas got dismantled by the Favre Vikes, 34-3.

To say TR doesn’t deserve such a deal ignores his skill-set and the healthy state of the NFL, meaning, Jerry Jones can afford it. Romo’s put up some terrific tallies in his seven seasons as a starter and has that even-keel persona that keeps coaches & owners happy.

But there are problems.

First off, when you’re America‘s Team, the NFL’s marquee operation, anything less than on-going, title-contention should be unacceptable. It should be.

Second: Tony Romo just doesn’t have it.

And what is “it?” Well, it ain’t what Clara Bow had (‘27).

And it’s not leadership, not by itself, anyway. Romo’s a leader, no doubt on that point. With numbers that have him on pace to best HOF’er Dan Fouts, and three post-season / Pro Bowl appearances in his seven years as a starter, Tony clearly has a director’s skill.

And you don’t need a ring to have “it,” either, though, having one of what’ve become the most grotesquely over-stated pieces of symbolic jewelry on the planet will necessarily vest recipients with all the rights & privileges accorded Super Bowl stars, including “it.”

Men like Fran Tarkenton, Craig Morton, Warren Moon (5 GC), Dan Marino, Y.A. Tittle, Jim Kelly, Dan Fouts, Jake Plummer, Ken Anderson, Doug Flutie (3) and Drew Bledsoe, all came up short in the biggest games of their NFL careers but always left fans believing one more title-run was possible as long as they laced ‘em up and strode out onto that field.

All proof that how you lose, does matter.

Simply put, “it” is an athlete’s passion for winning.

And it’s that passion, a fire in the belly that somehow enables or energizes these quarterbacks in marshaling those skills they need in the big game to lead their men to the promised land.

Sound corny? Not if that’s your man under center.

The pro-Romo camp might say something like this: ‘What else was Dallas gonna’ do, cut Tony? Where would that leave the Cowboys? It’s been slim pickens for quarterback-seekers in 2013 (free-agency & draft) and Tone still gives the Boys their best chance to win.’

True enough. It’s been a seller’s market for QBs of late.

But standard-bearer clubs ought never settle for ‘good enough’ and Romo’s just not cuttin’ the mustard, or, as they say in the Lone Star State: ‘That dog won’t hunt.’

Because you can’t always draft a Troy Aikman or pick-up a known commodity like Peyton Manning, sometimes you just gotta’ roll the dice on an unknown or unproven.

Conduct yourself like a professional for nine seasons and Jerry Jones will take care of you. That’s fine. But Jones’ responsibility goes well beyond Tony Romo. He owes a duty, like every owner, to his fandom, and in his team’s case that runs coast-to-coast.

And Jerry’s coming dangerously close to breach.

It’s his $1.3B Cowboys Stadium (‘09) and its high-falutin hosting-capacity (‘14 Final 4 / ‘15 FBS?) that’s become Jones’ crowning achievement, his pride & joy while he appears content to live off past glories (’92-93, ’95). And keeping Tony on board helps keep the lid on things. Tone may not win you a title but he will keep you outta’ the pishadoo.

So what’s done is done. Romo’s gonna’ be ridin’ point in Arlington for a few more drives and as of this writing no serious plan in the works for a Cowboys’ quarterback competition this summer.

If there’s one sport where a less-than-great team can grab the victor’s laurel, it’s the NFL: win your division (NFC-East no biggie (NYG rates)), get a RD1 bye and you’re just three little ol’ wins away from hoisting hardware. A veritable EZ-Pass post-season highway.

And if someone can get Jerry’s attention away from stadium scheduling, just long enough to wheel & deal a tighter Dallas D and fashion a reliable run-game, Tone just might bag that Lombardi trophy. Stranger things have happened. Who besides the Ravens thought Joe Flacco was gonna’ hoist last February?

One thing Tony might keep in mind when living on the links this off-season: “Winning isn’t everything” but ring-holders always get the best tee times and that means at least two strokes off your score. Think about it, Tone.

Steven Keys

NFL Hunch Line

Photo Credit:  Clara Bow / wc.cc / “Wings” / 1927

Wherever people cluster there are bound to be skirmishes.

At the dinner table, school, the workplace, your barber shop, …any place people come together. It’s human nature: different brain-matter, different opinions and then the verbal wrangling ensues.

Sometimes the tension runs like an undercurrent, out of public view. The conflicts that spring up can be as measured as a bow-shot at sea or as lengthy as the Thirty Years’ War (1618), as acrimonious as the ugliest divorce or low-key as a game of croquet.

And baseball’s no exception.

While MLB’s fiscal state is robust ($5B ‘12) and is set to raise the curtain on 2013 Sunday night (3-31 / ESPN) as the Rangers mosey on down to Houston to take on intra-state rival and new Junior Circuit member, the Astros, things are not all hot dogs & cerveza in America’s national pastime.

There are sore-spots that fester, some with a history, some just starting to take shape. Not likely any of these hot button topics triggers a clubhouse fisticuff but try broaching any of ’em with players & coaches and you’re likely to get an ear full.

WBC (World Baseball Classic)

Classic case of wishful thinking, as in, ‘We (MLB) wish the international format, so successful in the World Cup, can work for baseball too.’ Wish upon all the stars your “heart(s) desire” fellas, but even Jiminy Cricket won’t underwrite that dream.

Baseball’s global popularity explains why the WBC has met with worldwide applause since its debut in 2005. But state-side, the tournament barely makes a ripple in the sea of US sport news as fans are indifferent and players not exactly lining-up to participate.

Maybe if MLB went all in, making the WBC a real world series where each nation’s league champion team (‘12 Giants (MLB), Leones (LIDOM), Giants (NPB), etc.) was a participant, rather than a compilation of native players (WC), it might be better received by the American public. One thing is certain, its intrusion upon our beloved spring training traditions in Florida and Arizona, as minimal as it is, does not help the sell.

Sabermetrics (or Billy Beane baseball)

The dogfight between saber-heads & traditionalists flies under the radar but constitutes baseball’s war of philosophy.

Stats have always been a big deal in rounders, nothing new or contentious there. Just check the backs of older Topps cards: NFL versions are numeral-poor while MLBs are jam-packed with figures. Numbers were big in 1880 and they’re still big today.

But saber-heads kneel at the alter of the Holy Digit, spouting the ‘numbers never lie’ mantra while intolerant of other sporting faiths. They view baseball through the eyes of an accountant, dissing the subtle strategy, the history and humanity of the game, always favoring quantity over quality, numbers over nuance. If that reads too harsh, go a few rounds with one of ‘em and see if it isn’t a pretty accurate assessment of the type.

Who’s winning the war? The battle of ideologies flares up whenever Cooperstown is the subject. By that measure (vote results), I’d say we’re in trench warfare.

PEDs (performance enhancing drugs)

Confused on MLB’s drug testing policy? If you answered yes, you’re not alone, if no, clue me in because I’m kinda’ lost. Thought I had it down last year when they were supposedly drawing blood from every player in spring. Then this winter they announced a new testing twist, a plan to start taking “random” samples during (?) the 2013 season.

Bottom-line: While baseball’s testing policy seems half-measured and a bit of a shell-game (See; MLBPA), they remain the one major US sport who is taking action and making progress. They’re catching some of the slugs, likely deterring others and may someday arrive at a clear, consistent and complete PED prevention policy.

The antagonists: users, pushers, enablers and faux-sport fans vs. everybody else.

Who’s winning this war? Given the persistence of drug peddlers, a cheater’s mentality that’s in vogue and a public that grows more & more dispassionate about anything that’s not TV, gizmos, food or drink, I’d say the crusaders have a long fight ahead. But they’ve drawn a line in the sand and they’re not giving up this time.

Some crusades will end. Saladin and Richard the Lionheart were warriors but also brave visionaries. They knew when to make peace (1192), even if others failed to heed their wisdom (4th Crusade). But if you really love baseball and care about the health, the well-being of children who will someday fill its ranks, this is one crusade we can’t quit on.

The DH Rule

After a period of dormancy, the designated hitter debate is heating up again. That can only mean one thing: someone’s got dollar signs ($$) in their eyes and has deployed an advance force (media) to help prepare the way.

I dislike the DH but have come to accept, even appreciate, its status as a distinguishing trait (vs DH-free National) and fixture of the American League.

Some believe an NL-DH is “inevitable” (3-5 / Jaffe / “True Grit” / SI). I’d say it’s as “inevitable” as abandonment of day-game World Series (’87), football gear in the batter’s box, dangerous maple bats and the AL-DH (’73). In a sport that used to respect its traditions and League distinctions, we fans asked for none of these changes (inter-league) supposedly needed for good of the game. Hogwash.

What fans and the game need, want, and what they get are all very different animals.

Tradition giving way to common-sense change (bat-helmets) and even some profiteering, if it also profits fans (NCAA field: 32 to 68), is a standard all of us can accept.

Just as I won’t oppose progressiveness solely on basis of tradition, I just as surely won’t ditch a tradition merely for sake of change and making change ($) for the greedy few.

In a sport where the home run derby is its biggest event and bunny-hop celebrations make most viewers cringe, the on-going debate over the designated hitter rule actually pumps life into the game, giving it a visceral edge, in opposite of what agents-of-change would have you believe when mocking what they’d call a behind-the-times National, a League who’s been easily dispatching their DH devoted AL rival in recent Series play.

If proponents get their way and force the rule on the Senior Circuit they can kiss goodbye the ‘national pastime’ moniker for that arrogant act will signify the last nail in the coffin that buries what semblance of League distinction remained, along with a good part of history with it.

Steven Keys

Can o’ Corn

Photo Credit: Saladin & Richard the Lionheart / Jerusalem / Djampa / 9-12-09 / wc.cc

Losing your best friend has always been tough, whether you’re eight or ninety-eight.

They write songs about it and plenty of ’em: See; “Popcrush.com.” I’m not embarrassed to say I knew not one of PC’s top-ten “best friend” songs until the last one on the list (#1): The Jackson 5, “I’ll Be There” (’71). Funny thing is, that’s ‘bout time I lost a best friend.

I must’ve been around seven or eight, typical age for your first shocker?

I think it was summer and I’m walking home. I get to my ‘girlfriend’ Carolyn’s house (first girl I’d kissed) and she’s on her porch with another neighborhood friend, Erik. She calls me over and drops the bomb: “Steve,” she says, “Erik’s gonna’ be my boyfriend now.”

Erik was a major doofus who’d earlier stolen my baseball cards so I wasn’t too surprised he was involved, but Carolyn’s betrayal, that threw me for a loss. Backstabbers & gossips are the culprits when buddies suddenly go bust but you’ve still gotta’ earn your friends. Maybe Erik put a knife in my back or maybe I’d just been neglectful and Carolyn wanted to rattle my cage, hoping I’d protest. But I never the saw point.

The point here being, losing a friend can be a big hurt.

In the NFL it’s never as personal as my tiny tale but the consequences can be weighty.

No friendship in football carries more weight than the symbiosis between a quarterback and his favorite receiver. And the big guys in the trenches who protect their field general? They’re good friends too, but that ain’t this.

I can’t recall a time in recent memory when this many highly productive QB / top-target relationships were coming asunder or subject of serious separation speculation.

The short list:

Wes Welker (Patriots and Tom Brady): 9 yrs. (‘04); Sure-handed, high-volume possession receiver of an exceptional quarterback, recovered nicely from a recent knee bang but beginning to grow fangs (age) and expects / deserves small king’s ransom.

Victor Cruz (NY Giants and Eli Manning): 3 yrs. (‘10); Young, speedy, confident deep threat for terrific QB whose early results impress but saw average (12.7 / 18.7) & yards (1092 / 1536) drop-off considerably in ‘12. Exchange-rate (1-RD) makes Victor costly.

Greg Jennings (Packers and Aaron Rodgers): 7 yrs. (‘06); Another trophy-receiver for star QB who was building HOF resume when injury hit in ‘11 (MCL / groin). Questions remain on recovery after long rehab which temper marketability.

Percy Harvin (now Seahawks, formerly Vikings (Chris Ponder)): 4 yrs. (‘09);

Mike Wallace (now Dolphins, formerly Steelers (Ben Roethlisberger)): 4 yrs. (‘09);

Anquan Boldin (now 49ers, formerly Ravens (Joe Flacco)): 10 yrs. (‘03).

Goodbyes began in earnest Monday when talented but troubled Harvin and salary-cap cut Boldin were both sent Northwest. Vikes appear the better for their trade: 1) calmer locker-room with hot Harvin history; 2) more money available to cover (cut vet Winfield, signed OL Loadholt); 3) got better compensation and 4) Ponder was coping without Percy Electric who missed half of ‘12 (9G / 62 REC / 677 YD) while Flacco relied heavily on AB (380 YD / 4 TD) in Ravens ‘13 post-season run. But Baltimore has an established QB and their 2nd Lombardi.

From player perspective I’m happier if I’m Percy. Everyone wants to win but everyone wants to play, too. If I haul in passes for a living (or run for that matter) I’m not happy sacrificing touches & stats for a ball-hog, run-QB like Col. Kaepernick or RG3. Russ Wilson rabbits too but appears, at this stage anyway, to have a better appreciation for developing the necessary pocket presence and should distribute accordingly.

From team perspectives, much hinges on Harvin’s play-time, compromised in Minnesota due to migraines and other maladies. Stress is a major factor in headaches and pricey Percy has heaped a lotta’ pressure on himself in forcing the trade. One key will be Pete Carroll’s ability to manage emotions, something he’s been quite adept at doing in the past.

Tuesday saw prize pick-up Mike “60 Minutes” Wallace (That’s not Chris Berman IP, is it?) part company with Big Ben and land in Miami where QB Ryan Tannehill played admirably in his rookie campaign on a 7-9 team that some report (CBS (PBP) 2-11) will consider going ‘pistol / no-read-run option.’ I’m sure Ryan is thrilled at the prospect of putting his head & knees at higher-risk. Ugh. As for Mike, at least the money’s great, right?

With free agency in full-swing and draft day on the horizon, NFL wheelers & dealers are moving fast & furious in keeping, cutting loose & casting far for new talent. There will be some painful farewells, joyous exits and hopeful, high anticipation for the new arrivals.

And for those QBs suffering from separation anxiety, remember this kindergarten lesson that never grows old: lose a friend, make another, try to keep ‘em happy (and always watch your back).

Steven Keys

NFL Hunch Line

Photo Credit: “Jackson 5″ / wc.cc / 08-25-72 / CBS

This was gonna’ be a piece all about the amazing Chicago Blackhawks’ and their stupendous start to abbreviated NHL ‘12-13, but then hoopsters Miami decided to turn-up the Heat on the rest of the NBA and remind everyone who’s boss. Tough call.

Every time I get the scores on these two clubs I’m muttering to myself words like “Really,” “Wow” or “Is that right?” It’s real and it’s right.

As of this writing (3/6) the Blackhawks’ record stands at a mind-boggling 21-0-3, while the Heat have fattened-up their mark to a weighty 45-14 with zero defeats in their last sixteen contests.

So who’s the better storyline, Chicago’s ice-men cometh or the Miami marvels?

Going by the media’s reaction it’s the Heat Express, hands down.

During the streak Miami is winning by an average of 12 points per contest, faring fine in team-rankings for both scoring (5) and defense (10).

While their two biggest threats at this stage in San Antonio and Indiana are absent from the run (L 2/1 @ IND 89-102), the sixteen Ws do include nice wins over serious squads from each Conference including OKC, LAC, LAL, MEM, NYK, CHI and ATL.

Those susceptible to being ‘captured by the moment’ now feel compelled to put LeBron James in the ‘greatest all-time‘ discussion (Kobe shrugs). Such succotash probably puts a wry smile on the face of the savvy Mr. James who’d quickly dismiss the fawning.

Greatest or not, the “merely super-great” James (a Bing-ism) reigns supreme in ‘13 and is big reason why the Heat cook like Rachel Ray on short notice, joining leaders in PPG (27 / 4), assists (10), FG% (8) and rebounds (22), while Dwyane Wade contributes (21.7) and Chris Bosh rebounds lite (7.0). Heat hiccups: an Ass’n worst RPG (38.8) as Eastern rival IND excels (45.7) and disturbing up-tick in LeBron’s 3-pt. tries in opposite of prior trend downward.

Any aspirations Miami has of dynasty can only be realized if James works his business inside (where he’s nearly unstoppable) and passes on the tres-temptation like it was that frosted cupcake calling you for a late-night snack. Gotta’ watch the GERD!

Those residing north of the 49th parallel or folk who favor the checks & balances in the spectacle of skate will vote Blackhawks the better narrative. I concur.

Any team that stays unbeaten for as long as the ‘Hawks deserves the nod. One thing though, the word ‘unbeaten’ is a bit tricky in the NHL, given the three dimensions of play: regulation, overtime and shootout periods. The Chicagoans remain unbeaten in regulation and OT (4), having gone 3-3 in shooters.

As for the point record (24G season-start), I’ve never been a fan of streaks or streakers (bad look in the 70s). That’s especially true when a streak is subject to the whims of official scorers (Joe 56), player discretion (Cal 2632) or stapled onto a prior season (CHI 30 / 35 ‘79-80 Flyers). Pointless.

These Blackhawks impress because of their scoring differential (72 GF vs 41 GA), wealth of goal-tending (Corey Crawford & Ray Emery / 1.73 GAA), resilient, bounce-back ability (COL 3/6) and parlay probably the most talented, diverse trio on ice in Jonathan Toews (C), Patrick Kane and the wily veteran who serves as team bellwether, Marian Hossa.

Chicago’s penalty minutes are where they should be (270 / 18th) but power-play is pedestrian (19.7%). No matter, it’s an over-rated stat. This is where you work in those wise & famous words of Mr. Disraeli: “There are lies, damned lies and statistics.” Damn the scoring part, it’s killing the PP that matters and in that regard ‘Hawks are fine.

Some compare this Blackhawks’ squad to the 2010 Stanley Cup winners. Fair enough. Many players and coaches (Joel Quenneville) remain. But each team has its own dynamic and must forge its own identity requiring a new assessment. One asset from ’09-10 that will need duplication come playoffs is defenseman-enforcer Dustin Byfuglien, now with Winnipeg. That ‘10 Finals (PHI) was hero heavy but “Big Buff” played a key role.

A lot can change between March and May, but for now, the ‘Hawks and Heat are playing like teams with a destiny and the know-how to grab hold a’ that brass ring and hang-on tight.

Oh yeah, there’s one more thing that makes the Blackhawks’ Cup Quest II the better tale: they display the best uniforms and moniker on the sporting landscape, hands down. So please Reebok Suits & Skirts, hands off.

Steven Keys

Neutral Zone

“Babe Ruth is the biggest runner-up in history.”

That’s what the man said, Babe Ruth, a runner-up.

Words from the mouth of sport opinionator Stephen A. Smith last Monday co-hosting with Skip Bayless on ESPN’s hip-hoppin’ morning show “First Take.”

I don’t take-in “First Take” but rarely these days, having been a regular until producers decided the popular show needed fixing and pulled in the welcome-mat for anyone over 35. Then there’s bombastic Stephen, your morning cup of arrogance whose shtick can only be taken in small doses, otherwise PVCs, BP spike and the migraine all set in.

Don’t know if it was chance, old habit or just gluttony for punishment, but I dropped in briefly on FT and Steve was on his soapbox about Hammerin’ Hank Aaron, a man many still consider the career home run champ, now with the dark cloud of PEDs hanging heavy over Bud Selig’s official title-holder, Barry Bonds.

But calling Ruth a “runner-up” to Hank Aaron is like calling Charles Lindbergh “runner-up” to Chuck Yeager or Vincent Van Gogh “runner-up“ to Pablo Picasso. Pure goofball histrionics, or at least, putting too fine a point on Hank‘s accomplishment.

Having fewer career home runs does not a “runner-up” make, any more than Bob Gibson and Sandy Koufax are “runner-up” to Bert Blyleven and Gaylord Perry.

Dead for well over 60 years, Babe Ruth’s name recognition stays strong while other stars like Thorpe, Howe, Unitas and Wilt understandably fad a little more with each passing generation. And here’s why the Babe still resonates:

Babe Ruth is holder of the best non-PED enhanced season in MLB batting history (‘21);

The man who when asked why he believed he should make more money than the President (Hoover), answered back: “Because I had a better year than he did.” I wonder how the Bambino and Rosanne would’ve gotten along?

Is credited with saving baseball after the ‘19 Black Sox and A. Rothstein nearly killed it;

Once described as “a parade all by himself (J. Cannon),“ the multi-talented George H. was fast becoming a HOF caliber pitcher with Boston when Ed Barrow and Col. Ruppert put him in pinstripes (‘20) where he single-handedly ushered in the modern era of baseball with his persona, ravenous appetite for all things tasty and his Ruthian clouts;

Head-to-head with Hank in HR-related stats: career HRs (Aaron / 755 (2) – Ruth / 714 (3)); AB per HR (A / 16.38 (38) – R / 11.76 (2)); career AB (A / 12,363 – R / 8,399); SLG% (A / .554 (23) – R / .689 (1)); BA (A / .305 (T147) – R / .342 (T9)); OB% (A / .373 (T222) – R / .473 (2));

The player who, yes Bob Costas, called his home run shot in the ‘32 Series (Cubs);

And the man whose accomplishments on the field of play, and play on the field of pop culture, gave him such an immense stature worldwide that it’s never been surpassed and debatably been equaled only twice in persons of The Beatles and boxer Muhammad Ali.

Henry Aaron was a tremendous ball-player, arguably top-ten all-time. But had Ruth had a figure at which he could’ve taken aim and hung-on as did Hank, the Babe just might’ve put the homer, RBI and run marks beyond the reach of everyone, Aaron and Bonds included. God knows he still had pop in his bat with the show he put on at Forbes field in farewell (3 HR / ‘35). He just lost the zeal, holding most marks and nothing left to prove.

Why me so sensitive to SAS remarks? Ruth and other old-timers get kicked around pretty good these days by people claiming to be baseball fans. The pre-WW2 era was a different time (segregation), but the challenges faced by way of equipment, medicine, travel, the reserve clause, were incomparable to Barry’s and to some degree, even Hank’s easier time, though he and others (J. Robinson) bore a burden unlike any other class in breaking the color barrier.

Greats like Ruth, Aaron, Josh Gibson, Three Finger Brown, transcend time and “runner(s)-up” to nobody. Such talk fills time on First Take but also puts a “one-way ticket to Palookaville” in hand of the speaker. That’s a place for losers in case you missed On the Waterfront (‘54).

Stephen’s a fan of Henry Aaron and has reasonable basis in ranking him greatest home run man. I too am a fan of Hank’s, cheering him on as a Brewer at wide-open County Stadium in the mid-70s and feel no less so because I recognize instead Babe Ruth to be the best slugger in MLB history.

Tell me who’s the greatest, okay. Tell me who ain’t and we’ve got a problem, Mr. Senator.

Steven Keys

Can o’ Corn

Photo Credit:  Babe Ruth / Red Sox / 1918 / LOC / AP / wc.cc