Over/Under

For those who have paid attention to this little spot on the internet or have followed some passionate sports ramblings and discussions over the years, you know that the last thing anyone can ever accuse this Scribe of is being a homer. Not only is this a result of rooting interests outside of the New York area, but of a firm belief that a sport is bigger than one team, one player or one game. Years of fandom and media experience has shown me the light as I’ve learned to appreciate sports from a vast landscape beyond the Boroughs or even Boston and Philadelphia, where collegiate and family ties are everlasting.

Since Game 1 of the World Series begins in a few hours, I wanted to chime in briefly on the coverage here in New York. While there is a good bit of solid analysis, even if it’s regurgitated, the most resoundingly absurd, abhorrently awful and maddeningly lazy media efforts are below.

Beyond homerism and fans defending the crowns of both leagues, there’s an unfortunate tendancy of some in sports media to pander to the lowest common denominator. These are prime examples (along with this phenomenally fourth-rate article about Philadelphia being a "second-rate city") as one can allude to their own conclusions about them (painting players as sissies is old, tired and in this case, borderline homophobic for no reason).

If this is to rile up the masses, all it truly does is make them seem like buffoons. The intensity that the words “World Series” should be enough for any fan base as it is the pinnacle of Major League Baseball. The fact that these two historic franchises – please Yankee Universe, stop selling the Philly Phanatics short – are playing in it brings a different sort of energy to it differs from recent championship tilts. Yet, to continue in this vein while shortsighting some of the Yankees fans that DO enjoy objective analysis and stories about the opponents is beyond stupid and in it's own unfortunate way, beyond baseball.

This is not to say that the Philadelphia media hasn’t done any wrongs in relation to the Bronx Bombers and my original home borough, but attention would have been drawn for those that were committed. These headlines and so-called stories are reasons why despite the diversity of fan allegiances, interests and awareness, the area’s reputation of being the ‘most knowledgeable’ of sports towns is saddled with being equally obnoxious.

Now, onward to some fun.

Because national broadcasts are relatively predictable when it comes to covering Philadelphia and New York-based teams, I figured that this would be a good time for some over/unders throughout the first few games of the Amtrak Series.

Personal

I've been asked about the recent rumblings of the impending divorce of Alex and Cynthia Rodriguez. This is mainly because despite not having attended many games this season, I've been writing about the Yankees every week for the New York Beacon for the last three years. It's one of those stories that won't leave the front page of the New York area papers until either Barack Obama or John McCain says something that hurts the other's feelings. Yet, it's something that I don't feel is appropriate for me to discuss anywhere for three reasons:

1. Until there's a direct correlation between potential alimony and Alex's batting average, it's not something that I am allowed to write about for the paper.


2. There's a stark difference between discussing an athlete's maritial life/personal relationships and an athlete's criminal activity, where the latter can interfere more with game play.


3. It's none of my business.

That said, I have always believed that while it may be necessary in some cases, divorce is just... sad. No matter if it is someone close to me or someone I'll never meet in person, the fact that a marriage that was supposed to be honored by both groom(s) and/or bride(s) cannot be repaired is one of the greatest shames that can be experienced. Sure, it can be liberating and even life-saving in the most extreme of cases. Yet, it has to be an embarrassment for a judge and a few lawyers to break up a union two people spent such significant emotion and time to build.



With that said, even with the celebrity persona, public mistakes, mammoth contract and the high-profile employer, Alex's life off the baseball diamond is untouchable for this Scribe. The same goes for any sports figure, movie or TV star, musician, etc., as his or her personal life for one reason: I didn't sign my trust by electing that person to enact laws that reflect something that can benefit my piece of the world.



It's self-righteous and indignant, I know. Yet, this news not only spawned this prologue, but it reminded me of something I wrote for the former blog in 2006. Shortly after word surfaced of Allen Iverson's infidelious moments with Karrine Steffans, similar questions had been asked. While 'Dumb' focused mostly on how Steffans and others capitalized from their... um, talents... it invoked strong emotions about the personal lifes of public figures.



I respect all opinions and understand that probably none of you share a similar viewpoint. In fact, I expect none of you to agree; mostly those who have a strong disdain for the Yankees' third baseman. However, understand that while those of us involved with sports media - paid and unpaid, big or small - have thoughts on the matter, most of us will likely take the same route as Rodriguez or any other athlete would.



It's a personal matter.