Usually, when a stud ballplayer’s name is being mentioned in the same sentence as the Marlins, it’s because he’s been traded away from them for prospects. But apparently MLB’s little crackdown on the Fish forcing them to spend more money has worked.
Just days after agreeing to raise payroll, the Marlins have signed pitcher Josh Johnson to a four-year, $39 million extension, according to ESPN.
Johnson is coming off of a breakout 2009 campaign in which he racked up a 15-5 record with a 3.23 ERA and 191 strikeouts in 209 innings. All that came before his 26th birthday, which is at the end of this month.
The Marlins have Johnson locked up for his prime years, and it looks like he’ll be the one to start the first game in the Marlins’ new stadium. Obviously it’s a great signing when you can get a stud like Johnson for less than $10 million/year.
As a huge Marlins fan (one of like nine), I’m ecstatic. I had already accepted that Johnson was likely to sign elsewhere, but MLB’s and the union’s crackdown make the Marlins look cheaper than ever, so maybe this was a way to avoid a public relations nightmare. Regardless of the cause, I need a roll of paper towels to wipe away the gobs of semen that have crusted my boxers from the mere thought of having Hanley Ramirez and Josh Johnson signed through their prime seasons.
Johnson was fourth in the NL in FIP last season, and he seems to be improving every year. He’s not going to beat out Lincecum for the Cy Young anytime soon (nobody is), but he’ll easily be a candidate.
Finally someone has stepped up to address the ridiculous age restriction issue in the NBA and amazingly enough he’s the U.S. Education Secretary.
Amid a flurry of scandals and controversial coaching moves in college sports, Education Secretary Arne Duncan on Thursday urged the NCAA to hold coaches more accountable for nefarious behavior and for the NBA to drop its age restriction that essentially forces players to attend college for at least one year.
Duncan called the NBA’s rule “intellectually dishonest” because “those kids are in school for three months. They are taking six hours of classes. They are not taking anything. It is not college athletics. They are divorced from the campus.”
Thank God someone is publicly admitting that the NCAA system has got its faults. And I happen to agree with Duncan when he says that for that most part colleges have gotten it right. But even Duncan understands that NCAA hoops is a business and the coaches are most assuredly realizing that as well.
When income, jobs, and status are controlled by 18-year-olds you obviously want to make sure you have the best crop to insure your success, even if that means being incredibly shady and breaking the rules.
And I happen to like Duncan’s other view as well…..
Jeron Lewis, of Southern Indiana University, died last night after what is being reported as a head injury during a basketball game. Lewis, 21, was a 6’8″ sophomore averaging 12.8 ppg, and 8 rpg. Lewis, who recently became a father in December, is survived by his fiance, mother, sister, and infant son.
There were mixed reportings on the incident. Initially, it was said that Lewis collapsed under the basket, but ESPN most recently reported the death was a result of a fall and subsequent head injury.
There have been numerous deaths of players collapsing on the court and passing away shortly after, most notably Hank Gathers. Gathers collapsed during a WCC Tournament game on March 4, 1990 and was pronounced dead and hour and a half later.
R.I.P. Jeron Lewis
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The Press
Colt McCoy wins something bigger than the National Title in Rachel Glandorf [With Leather]
Every “Sport” has hot girls at one time or another, even fishing [One Quick Beer]
This doesn’t really help my “Watch The World Cup This Summer” Campaign… or does it? [Total Pro Sports]
And then there are articles I wish I didn’t come across… please wait until lunch is digested [MoonDog Sports]
Monta Ellis hits ridiculous shot [Guyism]
The Octomom’s kids were definitely well fed… Don’t act like you aren’t curious too [Don Chavez]
Top 10 Pac-10 Stories for 2009-2010.(I can only think of 2 so I was curious) [BusterSports]
Pantsing someone is no longer and ageless pastime! That stinks [Barstool]
The John R. Wooden Award is given to the Nation’s Most Outstanding Men’s and Women’s Basketball players. Last year’s recipient of the Player of the Year Award was Blake Griffin. As the college hoops hits it’s midway point, we’ll take a look at 5 deserving candidates…
Personally I think Vince Carter and Allen Iverson’s were the most ridiculous. It’s truly comical how overmatched their opponents were in high school. It’s like one of my friends always says, “he’s like a man amongst boys out there.”
I love high school tapes of these guys. So entertaining.
So apparently Gilbert Arenas has an entire arsenal of guns.
WASHINGTON – As a grand jury continues to hear the details of the gun incident involving Gilbert Arenas, WTOP has learned the Washington Wizards’ star has — at times — owned several hundred guns.Multiple sources tell WTOP that Arenas moved those weapons out of his Virginia home within the past year, long before the incident at the Verizon Center.
By all accounts, the guns in Arenas’ collection were legally owned, yet it’s unclear how many he actually owned or still owns.
He may not have owned all the guns at the same time, but if someone owns “several hundred” guns, I think it’s safe to say that at any given time, they’re holding at least 50.
But wow, what the fuck do you need that many guns for? It’s as if Arenas was preparing for the zombie apocalypse. Either that or he was trying to break into the arms dealing business. Even weirder, I guess, is why some guns were owned by Arenas and then replaced with new ones. I guess it’s one thing to collect guns, but what’s going on here? Did he trade in a .357 for a Desert Eagle to improve his collection?
I really have no idea what the reason for having so many guns could be, but there’s one thing I know for sure – Gilbret Arenas is going to be in a lot of fucking trouble.
You’re not surprised, are you? Did you really think that Lebron would stick to his word and participate in the dunk contest? Not a chance.
Monday’s announcement will reveal the three dunkers assured of being in the main contest. According to Howard, who has been talking with James, don’t hold your breath waiting for the participation of Cleveland’s superstar, who vowed last year to dunk for the first time but since has been wavering.
“Me and him are talking,” Howard said. “I don’t know if he wants to do it. We do a lot of dunking during the season so those dunk contests take a lot out of you. … I would love to see him get in one. But I doubt he does. I don’t think he’s going to do it.”
Howard gets a pass here, because unlike Lebron, he’s actually participated in the dunk contest before – three times, as a matter of fact. But of course Lebron isn’t going to enter, even though he ran his mouth and vowed to do so last season.
And I don’t buy the whole “it takes a lot out of you” bullshit. For the Home Run Derby, maybe, maybe, I can understand not wanting to participate since the contest can apparently mess up a player’s swing (also prbably bullshit, but whatever), but the dunk contest is a few slam dunks. That’s too much for these guys? I guarantee they spend a shitload more energy banging groupies than they would from throwing down a few dunks in a contest.
So no, I’m not the least bit surprised that Lebron is bailing out. He’s under no obligation to participate, but don’t run your mouth about entering so that people start getting excited and then later decide you’re too cool for school. Because I got news for you, Walter Cronkite: you aren’t.
