Emails in on Leach & steroids
The new emails are in, and steroids dominate the batch. But first, let’s talk Mike Leach.
Larry wrote about the Mike Leach flap: “Tech’s insistence on a reciprocal and symmetrical buyout is not unprecedented. Tech is offering to make a big time (for a school like Tech) financial commitment, and they want to see some reciprocal commitment on his part, neither unprecedented nor unreasonable in light of what has now become Leach’s annual Look-for-a Better Job Tour. Leach flat ignored a request from Chancellor Hance to meet with him privately, since he and Gerald Myers apparently can’t sit in the same room with one another. I understand that he has hired representatives, but Kent Hance is his boss’ boss. When he asks to speak to you, you don’t refuse him the courtesy. And the last thing that should be mentioned in the interest of fairness and accuracy is that Leach substantially increased the testosterone level in the room when he pulled an end run on both Myers and Hance and tried to take his case to the Board of Regents. He was not just rebuffed but admonished for his efforts. That kind of stuff doesn’t fly in west Texas, or much of anywhere else for that matter. He has really ripped his trousers with a lot of powerful people. Contrary to what you hear in the media, sentiment runs both ways in about equal proportion. There are a lot of Tech alums who have soured on Leach’s antics, don’t believe he wants to be there (notwithstanding his professions otherwise) and are ready to just turn a corner and move on. I think most want to see them go into a room together and come out smiling. There’s no question he has done a great job, raised the school’s profile, plus he’s a hoot. But between him and Myers, they’ve managed to ruin what was developing into a pretty good thing for my old school. It’s a damn shame. I do agree that regardless of how this turns out, Myers has to go. He’s a relic who has driven Tech’s athletic program (with the notable exception of the football program) into the ditch. If all this turns out to be just a personality conflict between him and Leach, that’ll be a no-brainer in my view. And I do think one of them has to go, and now.”
Well, that’s about the best slant on the whole mess as I’ve heard. I don’t know how much of it’s true, but it’s danged interesting.
William asked, “What is Texas Tech thinking? Fire Mike Leach? Has Coach Leach committed some unpardonable transgression not made public? No national championships, but from where I sit, the guy has been real success in a very difficult place. Am I wrong in my perception?”
Just read Larry. I think he’s shooting straight.
James wrote, “Something’s not right in Lubbock. I read where Myers wants to impose a $15 million ‘fine’ on Leach if he merely talks to another college without Myers’ consent. Is that true? I think that there are two arrogant individuals out there.”
No, that wasn’t true, and I don’t know about arrogant. You know what I think? I think Tech was trying to take a stand – albeit doomed – in a culture gone mad. Someone has to eventually stand up to football coaches. Why not the Red Raiders?
Gary wrote about the steroids: “The owners elected one of their own to be baseball czar (Bud Selig). They did nothing to stop drug use because they wanted the extra home runs to bring fans back after the strike. What were the owners doing after they got all the drug tests back in 2003? Congress should never allowed an owner to be commissioner. I would pick Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis as the best, then Ford Frick. Our current one is always years behind the problem and wants to be politically correct. Sooner or later Congress will take over.
Well, that will solve everything. As for commissioners, Landis was a racist and Frick was a buffoon. Bud Selig is way ahead of that curve.
Ron wrote, “If you have the time, look up President Obama’s recent speech to the nation and you will find that the president made a statement almost exactly as Mark McGwire made in the Senate hearings about not wanting to look to the past, only to the future.”
Difference is, McGwire wasn’t sitting at the head table.
Jim wrote, “Do you really think anybody in any sport in the last 50 years has not done steroids? In my 70 years I have been around a lot of sports people. I have even known slow-pitch softball players that used them. In these times, Congress has plenty that needs done besides hearings on steroids.”
Actually, I’ve come around on this idea. I think Congress should stick its nose into sports. Maybe it wouldn’t have time to screw up the rest of the country.
Bill wrote about my theory that I just don’t care about the Hall of Fame anymore. “I have a problem with ‘I don’t care.’ I think you really do, in spite of what you say. I do understand where you are coming from, though. Do Clemens, McGwire, A-Rod belong in the Hall? No, they don’t. Why? Does someone who drives down the highway on drugs or alcohol and gets away with it belong in a NASCAR race? No, heavens no. Just because the driver got away with it does not mean he is innocent. But according to the law, he is not guilty. There is a difference. He is not trustworthy. Yes, I do care. There is not any way on Earth that Mark McGwire belongs in the same building with Cal Ripken Jr. And I think you would be as sick as I if you should see it happen.”
I’ve got to say, it wouldn’t ruin my day. I just don’t care.
Wayne wrote, “I’m waiting for the rest of those 104 shoes to fall. Who was not tested? Not just A-Rod, Roger and Barry. It was, maybe is, a lifestyle. But they are learning and some are changing that lifestyle. Don’t punish them and forget the rest of the 104 that have not been questioned. Did we punish them for smokeless tobacco? Do we punish them for getting drunk. These men are like small boys that want to follow pressures.”
I’m not sure what you were trying to say, Wayne, but I, too, am waiting for the rest of those 104 shoes to fall.
Jim wrote, “I know I am one of the few or the only one maybe, but I think mascots should be fun looking and not look like they are mad at the world, or some scary beast. I don’t like the big-head Pistol Pete, either, but that’s just me, I guess.
My only problem with Pete is that he’s needed shave since I was a kid.
Brian wrote, “Your video about stopping the Daytona 500 early was absolutely correct. The Daytona 500 can no longer be called the Super Bowl of NASCAR. Heavy rains would never force a Super Bowl to be cancelled in the third quarter. The game would be delayed or postponed to the next day.”
Of course, there’s also the silliness of the World Series playing through a cold rain. I don’t know which is worse.
Roger wrote, “Imagine if we could merge the best of the Hornets roster with the best of the Thunder. Next, give this team the draft rights to Blake Griffin. Imagine having Chris Paul feeding the ball to Durant and Griffin. I think we could have a contender! I can dream, can’t I?”
Just wishing and getting great ballplayers? Who do you think we are? The Lakers?
Bernie writes, “How does (the Tulsa World’s Dave) Sittler keep winning Oklahoma sportswriter of the year awards and not you? Do you not enter the sweepstakes?”
Actually, I think Dave is winning on pure sex appeal. Must be a lot of female voters.
-------------Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel. Visit Berry's website here.
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