Most Hall of Famers are given a 20 minute forum and have nothing to say. Ryne Sandberg had plenty to say, because he’s been waiting 24 years to say it. In a speech designed to make a case for the player he says is the “best” he’s ever seen, Ryne Sandberg deserves credit and gratitude for reminding us all that while Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire may have hit more homers than Andre Dawson, they were never better.
Sandberg’s speech was surprisingly entertaining for a guy who never had much to say during his playing days. He told a somewhat funny joke, he made fun of Shawon Dunston and Mark Grace and he took Sammy behind the woodshed and gave him a pummeling.
Sandberg alluded to Sosa-like selfish behaviors, but finally couldn’t resist and wondered why it had become more important to find the red light on the camera than to play the game the right way. Somewhere, on the stage, Gary Carter should have cringed, too, but he was too busy trying to keep all six of his hairs in place.
Sandberg made headlines all over the country this morning for standing up for the way he feels the game should be played and for taking on, even in a veiled way, the steroid inflated numbers that dominated baseball from about 1996 on.
But Cubs’ fans knew what Ryne was really getting at. Sure it was fun to take a national stage and put Sammy Sosa in his place, but the motivation wasn’t Sosa, it was Dawson.
Sandberg wasn’t exaggerating or blowing smoke when he said that Dawson was the best player he ever saw. It was tough to watch the 1987 Cubs and come away with any other opinion of Andre. Plus, Sandberg watched Dawson during his prime years in Montreal. The Hawk was a dominant force on the baseball field, and Sandberg figures the only reason Andre wasn’t up on that stage with him was because too many players put up ludicrous numbers under dubious circumstances.
For that, Sandberg should be applauded. It’s rare when an inductee takes advantage of his forum and makes a real statement. Wade Boggs is still blubbering someplace about his wife Debbie and kissing her ass for not leaving him when the world found out about Margot Adams or the PTI claim that he once drank 64 beers on a cross country flight.
The only way Sandberg’s speech could have been better would have been if he hadn’t scratched this line out of his speech, the one that read…
And what more can you say about Cubs’ fans, but that a toothless, homeless, half-wit like Ronnie Woo Woo can inexplicably show up at every major baseball event without a ticket? Hey Ronnie there’s a bus leaving for Chicago at 4:15, be under it.
I made one of my patented pithy little comments on Friday about how I wasn’t that fired up about Ryne’s induction. Truth be told, on my list of favorite Cubs he’s somewhere between Shawon Dunston and Bill Buckner. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t realize he was different.
He was the first truly great Cubs player I ever saw. When your first memories are of the 1979 Cubs, you don’t have much to choose from. There was something different about him. He carried himself different, he never seemed to do anything hard. Truth is, he did all kinds of stuff that was hard, he just never made it look difficult. You have to admire a guy who never put the bat on a good curveball, but who never missed a hanging one.
There have been few Major Leaguers who shared his ability to look completely overmatched on one pitch in an at bat, only to end the at bat with a line drive to left center for a double.
He made second base look easy, too. He went an entire season without a throwing error. A whole season! How is that possible? The Cubs have a likable guy playing second now, and we watch Todd Walker wrestle the position to a standstill on every ground ball. Maybe we appreciate Ryne now more than we ever did.
Through my baseball career from about sixth grade on, I used a Ryne Sandberg model Rawlings in the field. I was pretty sure just having his name written inside that glove was enough to intimidate grounders and pop-ups. I think maybe I was right.
He was a great player who made the Cubs relevant, at least for a while, and in his big moment in the sun, he tried to make a case for a teammate who he thinks was even better than him. That’s impressive.
Then again, few things about Ryne Sandberg aren’t impressive.
Your’re right Ryne.
Andre was the best . . .and he did it the natural way.
Raffy got busted!!!!!!
I’ve got nothing to add. Just thought I’d follow the sequence.
Ummm, Mr. Palmeiro? We may not have met, but I think you and I will soon become veeery close friends.
Cindy, I thought you didn’t like “Kid Natural,” and that’s why you turned to me!
How much you want to bet that Dusty is so confused right now about where to pencil Lawton in the lineup tomorrow night? Dusty will be tossing and turning all night long. Maybe if Darren sleeps with him and comforts him, Dustbag just might actually use Lawton right.
The new lineup should look like this come Friday:
Lawton-CF
Nomar-SS
Lee-1B
Burnitz-RF
Ramirez-3B
Walker-2B
Murton-LF
Barrett-C
Dusty’s Lineup come Friday:
Hairston-CF
Macias-3B
Lee-1B
Burnitz-RF
Walker-2B
Hollandsworth-LF
Perez-SS
Blanco-C
Dusty just loves playing lefties so much, he’ll leave Lawton out of the lineup thinking he bats right.
And Dusty is going to be around next year?
Baker Basher
I guess Raffy is our next Dumbass Dujour!!
I don’t know anything about the “manage a tois” LeMar got mixed up in, but managing toys would have to be better than managing this crap.
Ho Ho, I think I deserve at least a look as Dumbass Du Jour. I have all the qualifications. I went up to the podium after Gary Thorne introduced me to play Take Me Out to The Ballgame on the harmonica, only to be told by Thorne that that was an hour later! I strutted out onto the stage pantomiming the shell of what my swing used to be. And I’m a goddamn St. Louis Cardinal! I want to be the second-oldest Cardinal to win the award!
Wha, they nailed Raffy? Shit. Where’s my passport??
I’m with Baker Basher. Enough is enough. I find myself getting so frustrated at watching this team. How are we just 1 game over the Mendoza Line? I don’t care if Nomar was out for over half the season–look at our friends in Atlanta. Jeff Francouer? Kelly Johnson? Kyle Davies?
It can be done. You just need the right brains…not the dustbag. It’s time…
Ladies and Gentlemen, your “Joe Morgan Dumbass du Jour” winner for August 1.
Adam, the Cubs are playing .200 baseball?
Palmeiro seemed in that appearance to be indignant over accusations made by former slugger Jose Canseco, who cited Palmeiro as a steroid user in his tell-all book. In an interview on the CBS television show “60 Minutes,” Canseco — who also testified before Congress — said he injected the drug into Palmeiro.
Mario…feels like it sometimes.
Damn you, Raffy! Before Harry ever started calling you “Palermo,” he was butchering my name and getting a hard on whenever I was in the on deck circle! I have seniority here, dammit! I put a lot of work into this award, and I thought I’d be a slam dunk. Maybe Andy can give me the July 31 DBDdJ award and you the Aug. 1 DBDdJ award.
I know my buddy Joe Morgan doesn’t like the award anymore, but…
I don’t know, Stan about the award that you win for losing, but when I have to choose just one guy for the award, I choose you, Debbie Boggs and Gary Thorne. Gary Thorne said some weird things during the introductions, like Don Sutton likes wine, I like Hockey and Gaylord likes K-Y Jelly.
I just said goodbye to my HOF chances!!!
I’m sure that they were just diet supplements ala former Bears QB Jim Miller.
Raffi pluth steroith, anyone has thith on ther gaydar?
I can still swap for an older, below-average OF a couple more times on the way to landing Steve Finley.
Screw Steve Finley, I won’t stop trading until I’ve got Brett Butler.
Wouldn’t Palmeiro actually be guilty of Contempt of Congress, since that is where he said he had never used steroids in his life (Or something like that)???
Of course, Contempt of Congress is pretty easy to avoid these days… Just become a federal judge.
I think the word you’re grasping for is “perjury”, BC, and I would be if you could prove that I’d taken them before I testified. Good luck with that.
I can’t wait to display my veteran leadership and show some of these guys how to get caught stealing at more appropriate times.
#24, I’m not a lawyer… My point is that if he lied at a congressional hearing, which it looks like he may have, then isn’t it technically COC before it is perjury???
No. 24, there short answer is “no.” COC doesn’t even exist.
BC, I’m not a lawyer either but last time I checked, contempt was for obstruction (e.g. refusing to testify) whereas perjury deals with lying. Either way, that’s not the point – you can’t prove I was taking steroids in March, so it will never get that far.
I’m the first big fish to be brought down. Everyone else has been fringe major leaugers. Odd that it’s coming so close to the end of my career and after 3,000, MLB has always had impecable timing.
Much as I hate to defend BC, COC does exist : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contempt_of_Congress… I just didn’t do it.
I’ll COC you bitches.
Okay, let’s try that without the dots…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contempt_of_Congress
Boy, am I all over BC, and rightly so. “Contempt of Congress” is like being “a little bit pregnant.” No such thing exists.
In BC’s mind, he gets to play Congress Judgeâ„¢, slamming the gavel, and bellowing, “You’re in contempt, Raffy! ORDER! ORDER!”
We’re winning again, bitches. Thank God for this Blum kid, he really puts us over the top.
zzzzzzzzzzzzz……………..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…………zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
“Either way, that’s not the point – you can’t prove I was taking steroids in March, so it will never get that far.”
I agree with you on that point. I don’t think Palmeiro is in any legal trouble.
My statement came in response to post #4, as I thought lying to Congress was COC and not perjury. Again I’m not a lawyer so I don’t know the difference, but I am thinking that since it was a Congressional hearing, and not a hearing in an actual court of law, then it’s just COC… Maybe it’s both, I’m not sure.
No, BC….
YOU’RE OUT OF ORDER!!!!!!!!!!
#33:
Read this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contempt_of_Congress
“In the federal law of the United States, contempt of Congress is the crime of obstructing the work of U.S. Congress, with a punishment of up to one year in prison and up to $1,000 in fines.
U.S. Congress generally brings this action for refusing to testify before a Congressional committee, or failing to provide a committee with requested documents. There have also been contempt cases based on bribing a Senator or Representative.”
However, this link doesn’t say if lying to a Congressional committee is Contempt of Congress or not.
My car broke down on Congress once, so I hate that street. Is that Contempt of Congress then? My brother had to come help me push it to the side, and call for a tow truck. That day was no fun.
a witness commits perjury if he: 1) makes a false statement (probably, but hard to prove he had taken steroids prior to the hearings) 2) about a material fact (check–the hearings were about steroid use); and 3) is under oath (check).
Congress could follow up with either more hearings or send him interrogatories asking whether he had taken steroids prior to testifying. Raffy would probably take the Fifth.
Not good for Palermo.
Don’t I own a pizza joint?
BC, Contempt of Congress doesn’t exist for “informal” hearings on steroid use. There is no Contempt of Congress for Raffy, because there is no way to prove he took steroids prior to March, 2005. The body of Congress legislates, but does not hand down judicial decisions, despite acting like a courtroom from time to time.
I come here to read about baseball.
I come here to read about Civics. Hurrah!
Yeah, me too…I swear it.
I think BC’s got a point. There was nothing “informal” about the hearing…they were called by the relevant committee, an oath was given, and the hearing was for a legislative purpose (to determine whether legislation was necessary to prevent steroid use in professional sports). The wikipedia listing suggests that if Congress wanted to, it could pass a resolution saying he’s in contempt and a prosecutor could take the ball and run.
Christ how many lawyers are there on this site, or did you all stay at a Holiday Inn last night?
Even better, they stayed at me!
Except that NOBODY CAN PROVE A FUCKING THING!! Leave it, will you?
Hey, we’ve got the same name.
dudes, having a cool one dude in my day off dudes.
tough weekend but if we win 4 out of 6 this wek we’re on schedule to win 90 games dudes.
cheers dudes.
Did somebody say C & C music factory? I luff them!
That’s nice Dusty, now why don’t you worry about catching the teams in front of you. Besides, I’m very unlikely seeing as you have to play the Astros and Cards a bunch more.
I said I have never ever done steroids, ever, period. …Yet (period)
Raffy should have used an interpreter at he hearings. “I was jus a leetle Cuban eemigrant, who wanted to play de beisbol”.
I guess no one noticed that even I got a shout-out during the Ryno love fest on Sunday.
That will be the first and last time my name is mentioned in the same breath as Cooperstown without spasmic laughter ensuing.
I played the game the right way too, damnit! It’s not my fault I was 3-foot-9.
Oh, and Gary Carter did a wonderful job on the Canadian anthem. He screwed it up bilingually.
The best thing about the lawyers here at Desipio is that they bill their clients while they waste time here. America, what a beautiful country.
Jo-dee! Jo-dee Ger-ut,
A fortnight’s worth of bennnnnch!
Even I know the rules of stealing 3rd base. If there are less than 2 outs, you better be sure you’re going to make it. If there are 2 outs, no big deal if you’re thrown out.
I am a lawyer, and guess what? There is an eyewitness to Palmiero using steroids prior to the time of his testimony before Congress. Jose Canseco. A lot of folks would question Jose’s credibility, but he sure got a whole lot more credible today.
Chuckles from Ivy Chat banned me from posting any comments because I always out debated him in any conversation he had with me. He asked me to give him my email address. If any of you gto huys gets a chance to relay it to him it’s the following
Cubfansswallowloadsofcum@aol.com
Let him also know hes a booty juice drinking fag who takes it in the ass. Damn that rhymes.
Thy name is JJ.
Now: 53-52
against STL & HOU: 10-11
against CIN,PIT,MIL: 10-4
against SF,PHI,NYM,FLA,COL,ATL,LAD: 14-8
End of Season: 87-75
Enough for WC?
we’ll see, dudes
Boy oh Boy!! This has been a good news week!
I pissed in Raffy’s urine cup before it was tested.
nobody wants me!!!!! i’m gonna cry again!!!!!!!!!!!!!
According to JJ, the rules contain the following:
1) When getting destroyed and when unable to make any cogent point, insult the opponent’s children for an automatic win.
Does anyone have Hendry making a waiver deal? Griffey would certaintly be available due to his salary. It’s hotter than a Bangladeshi tiger’s loins out here.
Me Grimlock think Hoops need shut up now. Me not like him and his Adam Dunn worshipping buddies. He go away now.
I’d like to thank all you fans for supporting me through the years. Getting inducted into the Hall of Fame is an immense honor.
2005 is a futile year
the kool-aid crowd, they hath no fear
everyone else knew – they had no chance
when Latroy came out and pooped his pants
Wood came up lame, Fox died on the mound
even the great Prior rolled on the ground
Dusty Baker said: Dude, we’re bound to get hot
and confirmed the suspicion that Dusty smoke’s pot.
Congratulations to Ryne Sanderson, what a ballplayer and a heck of a good-looking guy.
beautiful, Carl. I wept.
Wow. Someone defended me? Brings a tear to me eye (Sniff).