Whatever Happened to that Guy?

Stop me if you heard any of these: Linsanity, the Knicks are Lindestructable, the most Linteresting man in the world. Yes, Jeremy Lin is the talk of the Big Apple and is the hot topic of American sports today. Let’s get it out of the way. Sure, he is getting the publicity partly because he is of Asian descent. He is also getting publicity because he graduated from Harvard, one of only four Harvard graduates to play in the NBA. But let’s be real here, he is getting lots of love because he is winning and because he is putting up numbers. Something different than what we got from that guy in Denver, right football fans? The question is, is Jeremy Lin here to stay? The list below contains athletes that captured the hearts of the sporting world for a moment, a stretch, an entire year, or at least some length of time. Most of this list is not a Hall of Fame list, just some names that makes you ask, “Whatever happened to that guy?”

Michael Chang – He arrived on the scene in 1989, winning the French Open, defeating Ivan Lendl and Stefan Edberg along the way. Michael Chang still stakes claim as the youngest male to win a tennis major. Known for his on-court speed and fighting spirit, Chang is considered by many observers to have been one of the best counterpunchers of all time. He also introduced the jumping two-handed backhand. He remained in the top 10 of the ATP world rankings for several years in the 1990s, peaking at world no. 2.

Randall Cunningham – He was Michael Vick before there was Michael Vick, well, at least without the dog fighting. Randall Cunningham was arguably the most exciting player of his generation. Because of the lack of the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line, he had to be. This was a main reason that Cunningham kept getting hurt. A 4-time All-Pro selection at quarterback, Randall Cunningham’s finest season may have been 1998 when he led the Minnesota Vikings to a 15-1 record. Cunningham also holds the 4^th longest punt in NFL history, a 91-yarder vs. the Giants.

Darryl Dawkins – He had the rump roaster, the bun toaster, and many others. That was Chocolate Thunder, Darryl Dawkins, naming his dunks like only he could. He also played in the NBA Finals three times as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers in the late 1970s and early 1980s. On the flip side, Dawkins set an NBA record for fouls in a season (386 in 1983-84), and he never quite lived up to the expectations that had been heaped upon him when he was drafted out of high school.

David Eckstein – Two of the greatest nicknames ever: Mini Me and Just Enough. But those two nicknames perfectly described David Eckstein, the 2006 World Series MVP as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. Eckstein was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 19th round of the 1997 amateur draft, and was selected off waivers by the then Anaheim Angels. During the Angels 2002 championship year, he led the major leagues with three grand slams, including grand slams in back-to-back games against the Toronto Blue Jays, one of which was a walk-off.

Mike Eruzione – A championship winning shot. A World Series winning homerun. How about a game winning goal in the Olympics? That’s what Mike Eruzione did. Now throw that with the fact that the goal came in the medal round vs the legendary Soviets near the height of the Cold War. Eruzione, the captain of the gold medal US hockey team, retired from competition after the Olympics, despite contract offers from the New York Rangers, stating that he'd reached the pinnacle of achievement already.

Doug Flutie – If you want to compare Tim Tebow to someone, this is the guy (sorry Doug). Flutie played college football at Boston College, and played professionally in the National Football League, Canadian Football League, and United States Football League. He first rose to prominence during his career at Boston College, where he received the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 1984. His Hail Mary touchdown pass in a game against Miami is considered among the greatest moments in college football and American sports history. Plus, is he the last quarterback to wear a jersey number higher than 19?

Dwight Gooden – He was supposed to be a sure fire Hall of Famer. He was going to go down as one of the greatest of all time. Dwight Gooden was on top, until he hit bottom. While Gooden would be an effective pitcher for several more seasons, he never topped 1985, which would prove to be the only 20-win season of Gooden's 16-year career. Many reasons have been offered for his decline such as early overuse and/or cocaine addiction. However brief, Gooden's period of dominance was memorable. In a span of 50 starts from August 1984 to May 1986, Gooden posted a record of 37-5 with a 1.40 ERA and had 412 strikeouts to just 90 walks.

Tommy Morrison – Most remember him as Tommy “the Machine” Gunn in Rocky V. Most remember him as a direct descendant of John Wayne. Tommy “the Duke” Morrison's professional boxing career effectively ended when he tested positive for HIV in 1996. Beginning in 2006, Morrison attempted a comeback, stating that he did not have HIV and, later, that “HIV was a myth.” After his forced retirement in 1996, Morrison has been charged with multiple assault, weapon, intoxication, and drug offenses. He was sentenced to jail on several occasions, and served part of one sentence in 2000–2001.

Hideo Nomo – In Los Angeles, there was Fernandomania, but who remembers Nomomania? His successful debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995 is often credited with paving the road for the subsequent "wave" of Japanese players entering Major League Baseball. Hideo Nomo pitched over the span of 13 seasons in the Major Leagues with 8 different teams, before retiring in 2008. He won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1995. He twice led the league in strikeouts and also threw two no-hitters, remarkably one of them in Coors Field.

William Perry – Another of the top nicknames: the Refrigerator. William Perry was as big as one. But his larger than life personality is what made him endearing to the fans in Chicago. Perry, who wore number 72 as a Chicago Bear, became famous for his prowess as a defensive lineman. However, during his rookie season, Perry rushed for two touchdowns and caught a pass for one. Perry even had the opportunity to run the ball during Super Bowl XX, as a nod to his popularity and contributions to the team's success, and even scored a touchdown. Perry went on to play for ten years in the NFL. His Super Bowl ring size is the largest of any professional football player in the history of the event. His ring size is 25.

Spud Webb – A 5”7’ slam dunk winner? Webb was drafted in the 4th round of the ’85 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. His first six seasons were played with the Atlanta Hawks, when he won the Slam dunk contest, but he had his best years statistically with the Sacramento Kings, where he played as a starter from 1992-1995. He then played for two more teams before retiring from professional basketball in 1998. Since Webb made his NBA debut, only two players have been shorter than he was: Earl Boykins and Mugsy Bogues.

Doug Williams – “Doug, how long have you been a black quarterback?” “Doug, how does it feel to be named Super Bowl MVP?” One question was asked before the Big Game, the other, afterward. Facing legendary Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway, Williams engineered his Washington Redskins to a 42-10 rout. Williams completed 18 of 29 passes for 340 yards, with four touchdown passes. The Super Bowl was clearly the high point of Williams' NFL career. He suffered from injuries the following season, and was eventually outshined by Mark Rypien, who would go on to win a Super MVP of his own. Williams and Rypien were so supportive of each other that T-shirts were sold with the caption "United We Stand", depicting the two quarterbacks as cartoon characters with Williams saying "I'm for Mark" and Rypien saying "I'm for Doug."

Jason Williams, aka white chocolate – We’re not talking about the Jason Williams who dated Oprah Winfrey and was charged with murder. We mean the guy who was once high school teammates with Randy Moss and once reminded us of “Pistol Pete” Maravich. Following a drug suspension by the University of Florida, Williams decided to make himself eligible for the NBA Draft in 1998. He was the seventh overall selection in the draft by the Sacramento Kings. The Kings, with a roster that included newcomers Chris Webber and Vlade Divac, turned into a playoff contender. That year, Williams' number 55 jersey was among the top five seller of NBA jerseys.

He’s No Longer Peyton’s Younger Brother

Think about some of the athletes who are compared to their famous relatives. Baseball has Ken Griffey Sr. & Jr., also Bobby and Barry Bonds. Hockey has Bobby and Brett Hull. And although football has Howie and Jake Long, almost everyone points to the Manning family. Archie Manning, while playing for losing teams, was an NFL quarterback for thirteen seasons and made two Pro Bowls. His son Eli Manning has surpassed him in almost every category, statistics wise and overall winning. No question that the aforementioned names in each sport were all compared to their famous fathers at one time or another. The main difference for Eli is that he has also been compared to another Manning, older brother Peyton. And what makes that tougher, aside from the fact that Peyton has many, many passing records and will go down as arguably one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, none of the younger names before had to be compared to someone that was playing at the same time. Eli Manning has been in his father’s shadow, although Archie has been retired for almost 30 years. But Eli has also been in Peyton’s much bigger shadow, in his entire NFL career and throughout his entire life. However, Eli has started to etch his name in NFL folklore.

                 

          Let’s face it, Eli Manning came into the NFL in 2004 and immediately was behind the eight ball. Not only was his brother the reigning MVP, which he won again in Eli’s rookie season, but the college draft was as unkind for any #1 overall pick, perhaps ever. The San Diego Chargers had the first pick in the 2004 NFL draft. Before draft day in April, Eli, along with Archie, had decided he was never going to play for the Chargers. He didn’t like the organization and was ready to hold out until he was dealt to another team. That team became the New York Giants, who in return, sent fellow quarterback Phillip Rivers and two draft picks to the San Diego Chargers.

Who was this snot nosed younger Manning who was calling shots and refusing to play for certain organizations? You should just feel fortunate to be given an opportunity in the NFL. You’re not Peyton Manning. You’re not the funny commercial guy we all love. That’s what Eli faced right away. In his rookie season, he also faced the obstacle of playing second string behind one-time Super Bowl MVP and two-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner. Naturally Eli played sparingly in year one. But the Giants decided to waive Warner and give the franchise keys to Eli in year two. The rich history and tradition of the New York Giants now belonged to Eli Manning.

No matter what Eli did, it wasn’t as good as Peyton. The Giants would win eleven games in Eli’s first full season as a starter. That same year, Peyton’s Colts won fourteen. It would seem fitting and appropriate that Peyton win a Super Bowl first. After all, he was the older brother and had been in the league longer. Then something happened the year following the Colts Super Bowl win. Eli’s Giants snuck into the playoffs and upset the undefeated New England Patriots. Eli even had a couple of signature plays in that Super Bowl, including the game-winning pass to Plaxico Burress with seconds remaining in the game. Of course, everyone remembers the escape from a sack and his heave to David Tyree who must have had bubble gum on the top of his helmet. Since Eli’s Super Bowl MVP performance, he has put up solid numbers and has now entered the conversation of elite quarterbacks. For some reason, not everyone wants to put him in that class. Do you think part of the problem is his name? Listen, I’m glad he doesn’t go by his given name Elisha, but Eli is not much better. He doesn’t have the cool nickname like the Mad Bomber or Big Ben. He doesn’t have the typical quarterback name like Joe (Namath, Montana, Theismann, etc). He doesn’t have the typical one syllable first name and two syllable last name (Len Dawson, John Elway, Troy Aikman, Jim Kelly, Tom Brady, I could go on). In fact, I could make the argument that while Jake Locker could only have been a quarterback; a name like Eli Manning belongs in a bank.

However, should Eli win this Sunday’s Super Bowl, that bank account gets a lot bigger. Should he win again, only Tom Brady would have more Super Bowl victories as an active quarterback… and Eli will have beaten him twice. Should Eli win again, he absolutely enters the topic of top 5 quarterbacks today. Perhaps most important about Sunday, should Eli win, he would pass his brother in Super Bowl victories. Who would have thought that was remotely possible even six years ago? Now all he is missing is the cool name. How about Electric Eli? Young Gun? Heck we could even start calling Peyton Manning “Eli’s older brother.” I’m sure the name Eli wants most is “Eli Manning, two-time Super Bowl MVP.”

Who’s Next for Cooperstown?

My congratulations to Barry Larkin, the newest member of Baseball’s Hall of Fame. He was a local boy who played his entire career for the team he rooted for as a boy, the Cincinnati Reds. He was also the only player to be inducted in the class of 2012. Just missing the magic number (75% of the votes) was Jack Morris, who is on his last legs of eligibility. You see, a player gets fifteen years on the ballot, and if not selected by the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA), he can only be inducted by the Veterans’ Committee, a group of former players. So it may make you wonder, if Jack Morris has difficulty getting in while competing against the likes of Larkin, Jeff Bagwell, Bernie Williams and others, who becomes eligible in 2013? If you had that same thought, get ready to dive into some controversy and conflict. In no particular order: Mike Piazza, Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Roger Clemens, Craig Biggio and Curt Schilling. So let’s address the pink elephant in the room: baseball players associated with steroids.

Clearly, all of these players had Hall of Fame caliber numbers, and clearly, all these players took many different roads to reach those numbers. However, I’m looking at the amount of votes that players associated with steroids have already received, i.e. Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro. Plain and simple, Bonds, Sosa, and Clemens aren’t getting in any time soon. Perhaps they won’t ever get in. The BBWAA very seriously takes stock into accountability, character and integrity of the game. The argument against it is the fact that Ty Cobb and others are viewed to be so-called “bad guys” off the field. However, steroids have given the game of baseball such a black eye, there is just no way any player related to performance enhancing drugs are getting in.

Now, let’s look at Curt Schilling. How many times have we heard the argument that he was a big game pitcher? Someone you want on your team, someone who lays it all on the line and seems to shine the most when the stage is the biggest. In my opinion, Schilling deserves to get in, specifically because of his post season record. He also has some very solid lifetime numbers. But again, if Jack Morris can’t get in right away, chances are Schill will have to wait, too. If you think down the line, names like Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez, Tom Glavine, and Randy Johnson, who all have better cases to make the Hall, are more reasons why Schilling will probably have to wait a few years.

How about Craig Biggio? He’ll get in for sure but it is so 50-50 if he gets in on the first ballot. 3000 career hits, that’s usually an automatic bid. Throw in the fact that only twelve players have scored more runs than him, he’ll get in. First ballot is another story. Using the eye ball test, Roberto Alomar was a much better player than Biggio. Alomar wasn’t a first ballot HOFer. I would take Larkin over Biggio. Larkin had to wait until his 3^rd year. The question we should really be asking is why are players good enough to get in eventually and not right away? It’s not like these players are improving their numbers to get more votes. The Hall of Fame needs to figure out a formula that will allow the best of the best to get in right away and the players in the tier below get in after 2-3 years. Think about someone like Bert Blyleven who had to wait a fourteen years to get in. He wondered, “How did I get better after retirement?” Figure it out.

Who am I missing? Oh yes, the greatest offensive catcher in baseball history who was a 62^nd round draft pick as a favor from his godfather, Tommy Lasorda. Mike Piazza is a first ballot Hall of Famer. He not only hit over 400 homeruns, his total is tops among catchers and he has not been linked to performance enhancing drugs. Pretty good power numbers for someone who also hit .308 lifetime and was a 12-time all-star. He is one of only nine Major Leaguers to hit over .300 lifetime with 400 homeruns and never striking out more than 100 times in any season. Who would have thought that 15 years ago, Piazza would top a list that included Bonds, Sosa, Clemens, Biggio and Schilling. He deserves it. He did it the right way.

The Year in Review

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanzaa (or whatever expression is proper when observing that holiday) and a happy and healthy New Year to all. Perhaps I should just say Happy Holidays! That normally covers it all in a very “PC” way. As in every year, 2011 brought us sports fans a big dose memorable stories, events, and performances. So I thought I would take this time to recognize athletes and such in a way befitting of an awards show. You have the Oscar, the Grammy, the ESPY and now you have the Via, which goes out to those across the landscape of sports. In no particular order, here we go:

Via Award for Best Rookie – Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers: His first game is still talked about. His rookie season will be talked about until he wins a playoff game. Cam Newton is a special talent. Most yards thrown in a first game, by more than double. Most yards thrown in a rookie season. Most total touchdowns by a rookie. Also, to be noted, he helped the Panthers to win four more games than the year before, which is never easy for a quarterback selected as the #1 overall pick. 

Via Award for Most Underrated Athlete – Kevin Love, PF, Minnesota Timberwolves: When you get mentioned in the same breath as Moses Malone when you could be a college senior, you’re doing pretty good. NBA fans know how good Kevin Love is. If he played for a winning team or a city other than Minneapolis, most of the world would know how good he is. His points per game, rebounds per game, assists per game and free throw percentage have all improve each year. Last year he shot 41.7% from the three point arc, WHILE AVERAGING OVER 15 REBOUNDS PER GAME! Who else can do that? In a twenty year career, Shaquille O’Neal achieved a 30 point-20 rebound game eighteen times. In three plus seasons, Love has done it five times already. Watch out for this monster

Via Award for Breakthrough Athlete – Derrick Rose, PG, Chicago Bulls: We all knew Derrick Rose was going to at least be a good NBA player. But when you play in the same building as Michael Jordan and win the MVP while leading your team to the best regular season record, that’s an amazing season and a surprise nonetheless.  It looks as though Rose’s star is still climbing and when all is said and done could make his case for best point guard of his era

Via Award for Best Coach – Tony Larussa, St. Louis Cardinals – Going out on top is so hard to do in sports. Tony LaRussa joins a very short list. His 3^rd career World Series title was easily his finest as a skipper. While I admit players have to go out and execute, Larussa out-coached Rangers manager Ron Washington in the World Series. Next stop for Tony, Cooperstown

Via Award for Comeback Player of the Year – Reggie Bush, RB, Miami Dolphins: We know about the past, stripped Heisman Trophy and one of the main reasons the USC football program received bans, probations and other penalties. But also on his plate was a very underwhelming career in the NFL bordering on draft bust. In his last three seasons with the New Orleans Saints, he rushed for a combined 944 yards. This year, his first with the Dolphins, he rushed for 1096 yards. Couple that with starting in a career best 15 games in 2011, he may have a second life in Miami

Via Award for Best Performance Under Pressure – Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Dallas Mavericks: This was a close one. Why Dirk edges out Abby Wambach, 2 reasons. First, Abby did it for a stretch of a week or so. Dirk did it for a two month stretch, although it seemed like longer after many, many clutch baskets with ice in his veins. Second, Dirk and his team won. During the 2011 NBA playoffs, Nowitzki averaged 27.7 points and 8.1 rebounds while shooting 46% from the three point arc and 94% from the free throw line. Congrats Dirk on one helluva playoff run to your first ring

Via Award for Best Athlete – Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers: If your team only loses one game in a calendar year, you’re the best player on that team, and that one loss is not the Super Bowl, it’s an automatic bid. Rodgers played flawlessly against the vaunted Steelers defense in the Super Bowl, winning a trip to Disneyworld and a big ring for the fans of Green Bay. He then proceeded to lead the Pack to a 15-1 mark and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Aaron, I promise no one outside San Francisco remembers that Alex Smith was taken 1^st overall and you were selected 24^th.

Via Lifetime Achievement Award – Mike Krzyzewski, Duke University: I think most people have to stop and think what his first name is. He is known in the sporting world as Coach K. And even though four national championships, not to mention a gold medal, are pretty sweet, Coach K gets this award for passing his mentor Bob Knight for most wins by a Men’s Division 1 head coach, getting number 903 in November. If you don’t love Coach K, there is something wrong with you.

Story of the year – Jerry Sandusky/Penn State football scandal : I try not to focus on the negatives in life but when it comes down to this or Tim Tebow, even the hyped QB takes a back seat to this one. The main reason all the scrutiny came down on the program, Joe Paterno. Sure the allegations and the events following were awful, but, and I hate to say this, it happens all across the country. Now throw in a legendary coach in his final days at the only head coaching job he ever knew in a community that idolized him, it becomes a much bigger and jaw dropping moment.

Team of the Year – Dallas Mavericks: First NBA Championship, decided underdogs versus LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat. Now throw in multiple veterans like Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Tyson Chandler, Shawn Marion and Peja Stojakovic all coming together to reach the pinnacle of the sport. It’s not an easy call but I’m satisfied with it

Game of the Year – Game six, World Series, Rangers vs Cardinals: We mentioned in an earlier blog about MLB Network’s countdown of the 20 greatest games in baseball history. They will have to play a mulligan now. Game six had it all. Hall of Fame players, managers and presidents, multiple lead changes, multiple runs scored and for the first time in MLB history, a team down to their last strike in two different innings, not to mention a walk off home run by Series MVP David Freese, a virtual unknown til this season. Rangers fans, I’m sure the pain is indescribable to get that close to your first championship. For the rest of us baseball fans, it was as good as it gets