The Morning Offering - June 16, 2005

Written by The Fool on June 16, 2005

The Fool is tired, near the end of his odd week (seriously, you have no idea) and quite surprised to have a fully functioning Internet connection this morning. So with a pot of coffee brewed, fueling his fire, The Fool will crank out a Crash Davis / Scoop Jackson style column – with a little more fleshing out – that should be relatively painless to write and effortless to read.

The Fool believes we have yet another thing to blame on the Yankees: escalating bonuses of first-round baseball picks. Average bonus money of the four players drafted first overall from 1987 through 1990: $257,500. That group of players: Ken Griffey Jr., Andy Benes, Ben McDonald and Chipper Jones. You may have heard of a couple of them. Then in 1991 the Yankees draft Brien Taylor and hand him $1.55 million. Great move. Phil Nevin got $750,000 the following year and we haven’t been on the underside of a million since.

The Fool believes the Washington Nationals have two entities vying for MVP status on their surprising first-place team, which is 39-27 after last night’s win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, California in Orange County: RFK Stadium and manager Frank Robinson. The home park has been one of the best in baseball for keeping the team in games – the polar opposite of Coors Field. And more importantly – something teams like the Rockies, Tigers and to a lesser extent the Padres haven’t learned to do – the Nationals have adjusted the way they play the game to succeed in the park. The reason for that? Frank Robinson, who was about ready to kick Mike Scioscia’s 25-years-younger ass on Tuesday night. That was fun to watch.

The Fool believes Robinson is one of the few who can get away with this statement, which he made after the incident when Scioscia dared to get in his face: "I wasn't going to let him intimidate me; I am the intimidator." He should change his number to “3.”

The Fool believes John Madden, who announced he is jumping ship to NBC after this upcoming football season, is a tad bit ungrateful and selfish, though it pales in comparison to Alonzo Mourning.

The Fool believes he may make it through the NBA Finals without watching more than about 15 minutes or so of game action.

The Fool believes if you read one non-Rotogods sports columnist regularly, it should be T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times.

The Fool believes parents should have to earn recognition on Mothers Day and Fathers Day, not just expect it.

The Fool believes Eric Gagne is way overrated, and that fantasy baseball players will miss him more than the L.A. Dodgers.

The Fool believes “Jurassic” Carl Everett is one entertaining idiot. At least you know where he stands. He and Todd Jones should exchange e-mail addresses.

Speaking of which, you can e-mail The Fool at thefool@rotogods.com.

-- Written by The Fool on June 16, 2005