Imagine …
Imagine if MLB players spent as much time practicing winning fundamentals — say, bunting — as they do practicing and perfecting elaborate home run celebrations.
Imagine if late in close games in anticipation of a 10th inning with automatic runners on second, prospective leadoff batters were sent inside to the batting cage to practice a few bunts to move the runner to third with one out.
Imagine if media and sports authorities chose to cease pandering to those antithetical to sports, especially on the largest stages. Imagine if the likes of Serena Williams, Snoop Dogg, Megan Rapinoe and LeBron James were eliminated from even minimal consideration of additional glory and riches because of their self-entitled, selfish public misconduct.
5 Snoop Dogg has been chosen to carry the Olympic Torch on its last leg to begin the Paris Games. Getty Images for USOPC
Right-headed Americans are now regularly and senselessly provided with the repulsive and/or obnoxious to represent America within international events.
Snoop Dogg, as if a vulgar recidivist criminal, pornographer, proud misogynist and former Crips associate is the best we’ve got, has been chosen to carry the Olympic Torch on its last leg to begin the Paris Games.
One imagines that he’ll use the flame to light a blunt.
Given his extensive criminal record how did Mr. Dogg receive passport clearance to enter France? He was denied entry to Norway for international travel violations. And his denial to enter Australia was explained by the Minister of Immigration as, “He doesn’t seem the sort of bloke we want in this country.”
But Roger Goodell and the folks at NBC consider him a superior representative of American sports.
5 Snoop Dogg gets a pole vaulting lesson during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials last month. AP
That brings us to Carbondale, Pa., which next month holds its annual Pioneer Day parade. This year’s Grand Marshal? Ex-Met, Phillie, steroid-user and convicted felon — fraud, theft and various other scams — Lenny Dykstra.
Joe Miegoc, a reader from Carbondale, suggests if Dykstra is rewarded with the key to the city that “residents would have to change their locks.”
Anyway, Michael Kay and his selective YES buddies were unhappy with the Rays’ Jose Siri for his slow-burn, how-great-I-art home run stroll, Monday, with his club down, 4-0, as if the score any longer matters.
Juan Soto, following his home run, then exceeded Siri.
Yet such excessively self-smitten conduct has for years been indulged and even applauded from the Yanks’ booth. In fact, during that same telecast a promo appeared for a Soto “Bobblehead Night.” The highlights chosen were all of Soto showboating, including an extravagant bat flip.
After the game, Aaron Boone explained that such immodest behavior is beyond his control: “It’s a new world. … Guys are going to do what they do.”
So change it back, Skipper! You’re in charge, right? Demand dignity! What’s the worst that could happen? The Yankees would again be known for their class? Imagine!
The next night, Mets-Yanks was 1-1, after five, when Boone pulled starter Luis Gil because that’s what he had in his head before the game — and after an All-Star Game break that allowed all of his pitchers at least four days’ rest.
5 Yankees YES broadcaster Michael Kay YES Network
He brought in Michael Tonkin, who immediately allowed three blasts, one a two-run homer to lose the game, 3-2. Three more Yankee relievers followed.
If one could imagine that David Cone, who threw 56 complete games and had previously been saluted on the anniversary of his perfect game for the Yanks, would wonder what the heck Boone was thinking — again — it would have been a waste of wonder.
Cone said nothing. Aaron Boone Baseball, as usual.
Saturday, the Mets beat the Marlins, 1-0, despite Carlos Mendoza, who was mentored by Boone. After six, Mendoza pulled Luis Severino who had allowed just two hits.
On SNY, Gary Cohen offered a weak explanation: Severino was about to face the decisive “third time through the order.” As if both Cone, 25 years ago, and Don Larsen, in 1956, should have been yanked after six.
5 Mets SNY broadcaster Gary Cohen Robert Sabo for New York Post
Besides, with a lineup loaded with .215 batters, the Marlins all become Rod Carew come the seventh inning.
By the way, imagine how much better Cohen would be if he returned to his pre-know-it-all days, before he spoke down to us, immediately identifying (or misidentifying) “four-seamers” and “high-leverage relievers” and destroying mildly amusing comments from Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling with his bad habit of trying to play Top This.
Monday afternoon the Mets played in Miami on SNY. Of course they did. That’s part of MLB’s plan to provide its smallest audiences with maximum TV access while games that would carry maximum audiences are hidden behind paywalls for minimal viewing.
In the second, when the Marlins’ Vidal Brujan hit a high fly down the right-field line, Cohen immediately called it foul. But it was ruled fair. Brujan would be thrown out trying for a triple.
But then, during replays, Cohen went on into an incredulous boil about how the ball was “clearly foul!” when the only thing clear was that it was unclear — far too close to be clear.
A closeup of the line soon showed a blemish on the chalk line that reasonably and even logically — it was only the second inning and Brujan’s fly ball caused the first action near that line — could have been made by the ball.
But Cohen persisted. We were to believe what he insisted, not what we saw.
Anyway, it’s Holdout Month in the NFL, a time when players with contracts, including a new Jet “edge rusher” — formerly known as a DT — demand more.
As for Aaron Rodgers, I join many others who now no longer care what he thinks or says. The two are far different and subject to self-serving changes. Imagine that!
If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em
Bill Belichick, illogically hostile to media — recall how, after a Patriots win he assaulted and injured the eye socket of a Boston Globe photographer for no discernible or given reason? — is now a member of the media. He has been hired to be seen and heard on “Inside the NFL.”
5 Bill Belichick AP
It wasn’t enough, Sunday to be told that Yanks’ starter Marcus Stroman had thrown nine pitches to the current batter, YES added a vertical graphic listing, in order, the type of each pitch. Thus we were allowed exactly five seconds to read, absorb and apply that info before the 10th pitch.
NBC listed Tiger Woods first among those who missed the cut at 14-over in the British Open.
New stat for pitchers: WAER — wins after elbow replacement.
Imagine if worst figures in sports weren’t celebrated
- Advertisment - 
Recent Comments
on Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on Sports World Hails ‘Superwoman’ Lindsey Vonn for Her Grand Comeback Despite Career-Changing Injury
on San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on ‘Pokémon Scarlet’ and ‘Violet’ Fan Theories Suggest Legendary Time Travel, Alternate Dimension Plot
on Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on Inside the Michael Jordan ‘Air’ movie, plus why NFL, others are buying into the sports film industry
on If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on How Does Jack Nicklaus Travel? Exploring the Private Jets Owned by the ‘Golden Bear’ Over the Years
on Hollywood Reporter: Tom Cruise negotiated with movie studios over AI before the actors strike began
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer