Month: July 2008 (Page 2 of 39)

      Beijing officials to examine athletes whose sex is in doubt

      July 31, 2008 /

      File this under the bizarre and weird. Beijing officials will conduct examinations on athletes whose sex might be in doubt. And apparently this isn’t a new story either.

      The International Olympic Committee (IOC) introduced sex testing in 1968 at the Olympic games in Mexico City, after the masculine appearance of some competitors, many pumped up by anabolic steroids, had started to raise questions about the gender of athletes in female events. Unsurprisingly, gender-determination tests were seen as degrading, with female competitors having to submit to humiliating and invasive physical examinations by a series of doctors. Later, the IOC decided to use a supposedly more sophisticated genetic test, based on chromosomes. Women usually have two X chromosomes; men an X and a Y chromosome. So, according to the rules of the test, only those athletes with two X chromosomes could be classed as women. However, many geneticists criticised the tests, saying that sex is not as simple as X and Y chromosomes and is not always simple to ascertain.

      Transsexuals, who have had a sex change from male to female, can compete in women’s events in the Olympics, as long they wait two years after the operation.

      Do the Olympics always produce these weird stories or is it just me? Obviously if someone was born with both male and female organs and chose what gender they wanted to be (and therefore compete against in the Olympics), that’s one thing. But to change your plumbing in order to compete against a certain gender because you think you have a shot to win a gold medal is just flat out incomprehensible. And not too mention creepy.

      General Sports, The Olympics

      Manny Ramirez on his way to Florida?

      July 31, 2008 /

      Jon Heyman of SI.com is reporting that a three-team blockbuster trade might be brewing involving Boston Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez. The rumored deal would send Ramirez to Florida.

      There’s still work to be done in the Red Sox-Marlins part of the megadeal, but one swap that’s on the table would send young outfielder Jeremy Hermida, power-hitting outfield prospect Mike Stanton and hard-throwing young pitcher Ryan Tucker from Florida to Boston for Ramirez. However, the Marlins are said to be trying to keep the highly-regarded Stanton out of the trade. Josh Willingham was discussed as a replacement for Hermida, but it appears Hermida would be the main player going in the first part of a potential deal.

      In the most talked-about three-team scenario, Boston would send one or more of those players acquired from Florida to Pittsburgh for star outfielder Jason Bay, who would be a more palatable replacement for Ramirez than either Hermida or Willingham. Other combinations being discussed are believed include reliever John Grabow or perhaps even shortstop Jack Wilson. But Pittsburgh is said to be still trying to enhance its end of things, and Boston could wind up tying to substitute a different third team other than Pittsburgh.

      It’s interesting to see the Marlins mixing it up as buyers. Normally at this time of year, they’re selling whatever pieces they have to acquire prospects for down the road. But given that they’re only 1.5 games back in the NL East, it’s nice to see them go for it and try to swing deals to win in the now.

      Could you imagine what Manny would do against NL pitching? Scary thought.

      MLB, Rumors & Gossip

      Ken Griffey Jr. heading to White Sox?

      July 31, 2008 /

      According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, Cincinnati Reds’ outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. is deciding whether or not to accept a trade to the Chicago White Sox.

      The Reds have traded Griffey to the White Sox, pending his approval. Griffey will decide Thursday morning whether he will approve the deal, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. It is not known what the Reds would receive in return.
      Griffey, as a player with at least 10 years of major-league service, five with the same club, has the right to block any deal. The White Sox attempted to acquire him from the Reds at the trade deadline in 2005, but the trade reportedly was nixed by Reds ownership for financial reasons.

      The White Sox, leading the American League Central by a game and a half, would use Griffey mostly in the outfield, the source said. However, they do not have an obvious spot for him unless they make another deal.

      The Sox are set at the corners with Carlos Quentin in left and Jermaine Dye in right. They could play Nick Swisher at first to open center for Griffey, a move that would reduce the playing time of first baseman Paul Konerko and designated hitter Jim Thome. But Griffey has not played center regularly since 2006.

      Cincy is Griffey’s hometown but it would be nice to see him play for a contender in the latter part of his career. The White Sox certainly have enough talent to win the AL Central, although the Angels and Red Sox will be incredibly daunting in the postseason.

      As a baseball fan, here’s hoping that Griff accepts the deal and we get to see him in the playoffs.

      Update: Griffey approves the trade to Chicago.

      MLB, Rumors & Gossip

      Did the Packers try to bribe Brett Favre to stay retired?

      July 31, 2008 /

      WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee is reporting that the Packers are willing to bribe Brett Favre to stay retired.

      WTMJ-TV Channel 4 in Milwaukee, citing two sources, reported Wednesday that Packers president Mark Murphy at least floated the idea to Favre of paying him a package in the neighborhood of $20 million over 10 years to remain retired. Murphy met most of Wednesday with Favre and his agent, Bus Cook, in Hattiesburg, Miss.

      A source subsequently confirmed that the Packers have discussed monetary compensation with Favre and Cook.

      Murphy arrived back in Green Bay at approximately 9 p.m. and did not stop to talk to reporters as he was driven from the airport. A few minutes later, the Packers released this statement from Murphy:

      “I was in Hattiesburg today and had a nice visit with Brett Favre. We discussed a number of topics not related to football, including Brett’s long-term relationship with the Packers. I consider our conversation to be confidential and am going to be respectful of Brett and his family and keep the details private.”

      When asked if the Packers had a specific comment on WTMJ’s report, Murphy’s spokesman, Aaron Popkey, said no further comment would be coming from the Packers this evening.

      Obviously, this doesn’t look good for the Packers. It appears to be a desperate attempt to keep the Favre circus from making a stop in Green Bay. Given their obvious (yet bizarre) distaste for bringing Favre back as the starter, coupled with their inability to agree on the appropriate compensation for a potential trade package, the Packers have grossly mishandled the situation.

      If this report is true, the leak clearly came from Favre’s camp. I highly doubt that anyone loyal to the Green Bay Packers would reveal that the team president tried to buy off the franchise’s most beloved player (of the modern era, anyway). This news will only serve to poison a difficult situation even further. For that, Favre (or his camp) is to blame.

      I still believe that Favre gives the Packers the best chance to win a title this season. Pundits across the country continue to debate about which team is the “best fit” for Favre. They talk about how he should go to a team that would be a contender if only it didn’t have an unsettled quarterback situation. Isn’t the “best fit” the Green Bay Packers?

      But if the team is 100% committed to moving on with Aaron Rodgers, then they should trade Favre for whatever they can get, whether it be a second- or a third-round pick.

      This ordeal needs to end, and not with a bribe.

      NFL, Rumors & Gossip

      Mike Greenberg said something stupid today

      July 30, 2008 /

      I was watching the Best of Mike & Mike in the Morning on good ol’ ESPN2 (the same network that brings us the daily rantings of Skip Bayless), and heard Mike Greenberg say the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard him say. I’m not a regular watcher/listener, but I’m familiar with the guy.

      He and Mike Golic were discussing John Lackey’s near no-hitter against Boston, and “Greeny” said that since the Red Sox were going to lose anyway (they were down 6-0, so the chances of a comeback were indeed slim), if he were a Boston player he would root for the no-no because he would want to witness history.

      This is the problem with having people who don’t have a competitive sports background commenting on sports. He does a fine job of giving his opinion of an average sports fan, but in a case like this – when he’s saying that the Red Sox players should be rooting for Lackey to complete the no-hitter – he’s spouting utter nonsense.

      Anyone who has played sports at a high level – I’m talking about most college programs as well as a few of the more successful high school programs – would cringe at this thought. No one, and I mean no one, who considers themselves a true competitor would want to see a no-hitter thrown against their team. It’s not just a sign of great pitching; it’s a sign of inept hitting. No competitor wants the opposing team to have its way.

      To my point, Golic, who had a long NFL career, disagreed with Greenberg’s comments.

      My advice for Greeny is to stop trying to put yourself in the shoes of the athletes – just comment on sports from a fan’s perspective.

      MLB, Television

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