A-Rod Amusement

Taken from my MySpace account. Original post date: October 19, 2007.

Standing here behind this desk at American Airlines Center, anxiously awaiting the start of my first Mavs game of the new season, is getting lonely and a little boring. I was discussing the possible Kobe Bryant trade to the Mavericks with an usher and we someone stumbled on to Alex Rodriguez and the begillions of dollars he makes every year. That conversation caused a chain reaction of ideas in my head that peaked my curiosity beyond restraint. Here we begin: The Numbers Game

I first wondered what A-Rod's salary was for this past season, so I went and looked it up. Wow. The season that just ended (for the Yankees, but not for my beloved Red Sox) A-Rod made a ridiculous $27,708,525, according to ESPN.com.

But my curiosity took a persistent turn and did not end there. We progree to idea number two in the chain reaction: How much does he make per game? So we take his salary and divide that by the number of games in the baseball season: 162. Holy $%&@. A-Rod breaks the bank at $171,040.27...PER GAME. He makes more money in one 3-hour game than most hard-working Americans make in an entire year.

Now I am really curious. "Let's look at how much he makes in one inning," I thought. So I took his per-game salary and divided that by the number of innings in one game: 9. HOLY $#!+!!! Now, remember, this is per full inning; three outs in the field and three outs hitting (or on the bench if he doesn't hit that inning). Get ready. $19,004.47. So A-Rod could start the inning on defense and play in the field. Chances are, many times all three outs are recorded without A-Rod having to make a play. Then on the flip side of the inning, A-Rod may not even get to the plate. Therefore, there are times (and probably many throughout the season) that he does absolutely nothing but stand on the field and sit on the bench and makes over 19 thousand.

We have police officers, firemen and women, medics, etc who risk their life every day and who make just over that amount in an entire year. Tell me how this is fair at all.

I even took it one step further. What about every half inning. For the three outs that he is on the field or on the bench watching his team hit. So I took that per-inning figure and divided it by 2. $!^&*$^&!*%$ For every half inning, A-Rod makes $9,502.23.

Who now believes there is too much money in sports? I don't care how "good" any one player is. Making THAT much money for standing on a dirt field and occasionally getting a dirt or grass stain on your uniform is absurd.

If A-Rod was really a "team player" maybe he would donate some of that unearned ridiculousness to the REAL miracle workers of our world.

A-Rod? I say, A-Fraud.

2007-2008 Dallas Stars Billboards

Taken from my MySpace account. Original post date: September 5, 2007.

New Dallas Stars billboards for this season. Enjoy.

Bye Bye Teixeira

Taken from my MySpace page. Original post date: July 31, 2007.

Well, well, well. The Rangers have done it again. Less than 48 hours before the trading deadline, the Rangers dealt one of their best players, and a huge fan favorite for that matter, to the Atlanta Braves.

And what did the Rangers receive in return?

Pitching!

Wait, no. They didn't get pitching. Not really. They received a 19-year-old right-hander Nestali Feliz (sounds like a familiar spanish-style take on a Christmas song?) and another minor-league pitcher that is to be determined. Included in the deal were Rangers relief pitcher Ron Mahay, and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and minor-league shortstop Elvis Andrus.

Okay, the Rangers are in dyer need of pitching, and have been since they arrived in Arlington from Washington, D.C. in 1972. So, why did they TRADE away a pitcher for yet ANOTHER catcher, a minor-league shortstop and, and two young pitchers who will likely be traded away from the Rangers anyways?

Let's refresh. Earlier in the season, the Rangers acquired catcher Adam Melhuse from Oakland. They also have a bright-futured minor-league catcher, Chris Stewart, who has seen some major league action this season. And the Rangers' starting catcher, Gerald Laird, is quickly and quietly becoming one of the better-hitting catchers in all of baseball. So what point does it make to acquire ANOTHER catcher from Atlanta?

Now let's look at shortstop: Michael Young. Probably the most popular Rangers player among fans. What good is acquiring another shortstop when Young is young. He is only 30 and has at least 7 more years of playing time in his career. If I was a player, I wouldn't want to be playing in the minor leagues for at least 7 years, waiting for an all-star player to retire so that I could have MY shot in the spotlight.

Conclusion? A total bust for the Rangers. It seems as if they were so concerned about getting rid of Teixeira and his $9 million salary, that they settled for whatever they could, or what they thought was the best amount of talent being offered.

The Rangers may have acquired some young talent through their dumbfounded decision making, but they lost a fan.

GO BRAVES.

War of the Wealthy's

This is from my MySpace blog. Orginal post date: June 27, 2007.

Ahh, the joys of money.

As I stand here, lonely at my podium of money, I look around and realize what money does to people.

On the Platinum Level of American Airlines Center, the so-called "Rich and Famous" of Dallas fancily parade around, flaunting their dates and attire to others as if in competition with everyone else to see who projects the wealthiest image.

Even with the pounding of raindrops on the warm, Texas-summer concrete outside, the attire is much too ritzy for a meaningless concert by "The Police."

I know, I know. The Police are historic. A great rock band of the 70s. Even if they have broken-up more than the ground after an 8.0-magnitude earthquake.

But, seriously. Thunderstorms are raging outside. The Police are mediocre. Why do these numbers-rich bank account owners insist on engaging in wealth wars?

I can picture their typical thought process while preparing for such a battle.

Step One, Grooming. Take a shower and shave. There are no rules for the amount of gel or mousse to be used in the hair. The amount necessary to hold it perfectly in place even if you were deep sea diving is acceptable.

Step Two, The Proper Attire. Should I wear the traditional black? Or venture out onto the daring ledge with bright red? Should I wear the opposite of what I think the competition is going to wear? I mean, we can't be seen wearing the same outift, let alone the same color scheme. Besides, red IS a color on a standard, police-issued patrol car.

Step Three, Outsmarting the Competition. What attitude should I portray for this event? Is this similar to a black-tie event in which I must project my enormous wealth and mannerisms? Or is a lower key, "make fun of all the people without money" event?

Step Four, The Projection. Welcome to the Main Event. It all comes down to this. All thoughts and events have led to this moment. I have to project myself and let everyone know that I am best of the best.

Step Five, The Cooldown. Well, now that the hardest part is over, I can relax and be myself a bit. I'm on the way out and I have finished making my rounds and firmly believe that everyone here knows my elegant status and worth. I think I won the war.

Step Six, The End. Well, it's over. I'm home and ready to go to bed. Whatever her name is will be sleeping with me though. What should I wear to bed? How does my hair look?

Are you kidding me? What a load of crap. Too much work in my opinion. What the hell is wealth is supposed to do for you anyway?

The "joys" of money? Right. Seems more like the duties and responsibilities that come along with the job. Or could it be that these wealthy weirdos are simply faking it?

Do they even HAVE any money? It sure seems like it. Their lackluster attitude, manners, and sense of fashion prove this to be true. But perhaps it is just a brilliant performance worthy of an Oscar. And also worthy of a call to the television show "What Not To Wear."

I guess we'll never know the truth behind the wealth wars. Thank goodness for The Police playing their "smoking" hits and saving the day.

At least we won't have to call the fashion police.