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Don't you wish Brett Favre had just retired the first time?
In retrospect, I wish Brett Favre had retired the first time.
Before he left the Packers for New York. Before he left New York for the Vikings.
While he keeps piling on his NFL records (more than 500 touchdown passes? That’s incredible), his constant putting himself ahead of the team, and in a sense the game, had already marred his once sterling reputation. Missing off season programs, along with the constant speculation about whether he would play each summer, had already been enough.
This circumstance involving women employees with the Jets in 2008 has done even more damage. It sounds really creepy.
And watching Favre play is literally painful. He did make a couple nice throws Monday night against the Jets, but he each time he really gunned the ball with classic Brett Favre flair, he was left holding his elbow and wincing.
Random Thoughts
- Bobby Cox won all these games and tons of respect, but just one world title. Where does he rank among the baseball’s all-time great managers? I wouldn’t put him ahead of Sparky Anderson, would you?
- It’s interesting the Tigers have Chance Ruffin, one of their early picks in last June’s draft, in the Arizona Fall League. They need bullpen help and he was an excellent closer at Texas. If he performs well in Arizona, the Tigers will push him to the high levels of the minor leagues to start his career - and not hesitate to bring him to the majors. It’s interesting how the Tigers keep taking college relievers fairly early in the draft. None have panned out as expected. I expect more from Ryan Perry myself. And this goes back to before the Dave Dombrowski regime when the likes of Rick Greene and Matt Anderson were drafted. Ruffin will be one of only three player in last June’s draft in the AFL.
- With Jonathan Ericsson out, defenseman Jakub Kindl will get another chance to play tonight against the Avalanche. He is the last of the so-called “overripe” prospects the Red Wings had at Grand Rapids. Time for him to step forward. He took a regular shift against the Blackhawks Saturday, including some time on the penalty kill. He was minus-1, but it was difficult to tell in that appearance how solid he is at this stage. Maybe we’ll learn more tonight.
With Brian Rafalski having his knee scoped, Kindl's role will be even more important.
Before he left the Packers for New York. Before he left New York for the Vikings.
While he keeps piling on his NFL records (more than 500 touchdown passes? That’s incredible), his constant putting himself ahead of the team, and in a sense the game, had already marred his once sterling reputation. Missing off season programs, along with the constant speculation about whether he would play each summer, had already been enough.
This circumstance involving women employees with the Jets in 2008 has done even more damage. It sounds really creepy.
And watching Favre play is literally painful. He did make a couple nice throws Monday night against the Jets, but he each time he really gunned the ball with classic Brett Favre flair, he was left holding his elbow and wincing.
Random Thoughts
- Bobby Cox won all these games and tons of respect, but just one world title. Where does he rank among the baseball’s all-time great managers? I wouldn’t put him ahead of Sparky Anderson, would you?
- It’s interesting the Tigers have Chance Ruffin, one of their early picks in last June’s draft, in the Arizona Fall League. They need bullpen help and he was an excellent closer at Texas. If he performs well in Arizona, the Tigers will push him to the high levels of the minor leagues to start his career - and not hesitate to bring him to the majors. It’s interesting how the Tigers keep taking college relievers fairly early in the draft. None have panned out as expected. I expect more from Ryan Perry myself. And this goes back to before the Dave Dombrowski regime when the likes of Rick Greene and Matt Anderson were drafted. Ruffin will be one of only three player in last June’s draft in the AFL.
- With Jonathan Ericsson out, defenseman Jakub Kindl will get another chance to play tonight against the Avalanche. He is the last of the so-called “overripe” prospects the Red Wings had at Grand Rapids. Time for him to step forward. He took a regular shift against the Blackhawks Saturday, including some time on the penalty kill. He was minus-1, but it was difficult to tell in that appearance how solid he is at this stage. Maybe we’ll learn more tonight.
With Brian Rafalski having his knee scoped, Kindl's role will be even more important.
Labels: Brett Favre Bobby Cox Chance Ruffin Ryan Perry Dave Dombrowski Jonathan Ericsson Jakub Kindl
posted by Pat Caputo at
12:10 PM
12 Comments:
Book, I would rank Cox over Sparky - but it really is a close comparison. The biggest reason is 14 straight division titles.
Granted Sparky coached mostly before the change to 3 divisions. But 14 straight? When I lived in Atlanta in the last half of the '70's and early '80s - the Braves stank - even when Torre took over as coach.
Pat, I would put Bobby Cox over Sparky because of his longevity and Bobby was a manger not Sparky way or the highway. I agree with you on why are the Tigers are drafting relievers for? Relief pitching is the easiest position to fill during free agency market. Where starting pitching and power bats are the most expensive position to filled during free agency period. Tigers need to keep drafting power bats, starting pitching and good defensive players.
Sparky is the best because he won in both leagues, and he was a master of selling the game, and making it fun to be a fan. boy do i miss sparky and Ernie, and Sparky back in the day talking to JP on the radio, or to anyone who asked him a question, and selling the game in such a fun way. enough boring interviews from coaches and managers, if they aren't even going to try to be entertaining, then we should stop talking to them.
that reminds me how much i miss brett hull too!
I wish Favre had never retired the first time, but stayed and retired after last year. It's obvious his ankle is not up to it any longer. his other activities i would rather not think about!
Franco
When my buddy and I have this argument, my contention is that if Sparky was the manager during the 14 division titles, Atlanta would have won far more than 1 title. If he had the horses, Sparky would generally find a way to win. And he was much better than Cox at managing a bullpen, which is what killed Atlanta during many of the playoff losses.
I go with Sparky who won three championships to Bobby's one. There are only 5 teams in a division so I do not how much I value a division title. Both did seem to have the respect of their players which is a tribute of course.
Slight tangent. I see Cito Gaston retired this year with little fanfare and he had two championships. I think I am the only one outside of Toronto who liked him. He generally identified his best players and played them; with some rest of course. Starters were starters amd reserves were reserves. Our guy should take notice.
Yeah, Sparky was no great shakes. Cox was at least as good a manager, and never seemed to have the meltdowns Sparky had, leaving the team for emotional rehab or whatever, like he did.
I'd rate any number of managers over Sparky.
Heck, Leyland woulda done every bit of winning that Sparky ever did with the Reds and Tigers, I bet.
Fred Brill,
Thing is, Fred, Sparky was better in the postseason. But Braves consistency was remarkable.
Caputo
Barry,
Sparky managed 25 years. He had some bad teams at the end with the Tigers, but not before that stretch. Also won titles in both leagues. Impressive.
Caputo
ARTKNARF,
I agree with you about Favre. That would have been the ideal scenario. Great point about Sparky. Cox is good guy, too, but not quite as adept at selling the game.
Caputo
Dan,
Both managers had great players. Sparky's edge is three world titles compared to one by Cox. An edge Cox has is that he never really had horrible teams. Sparky had a couple.
Caputo
Core Contrarian,
Great point on Gaston - and he toomk Blue Jays where Cox and Jimy Williams couldn't.
Caputo
Anonymous,
Well, did the Reds win championships the years before Sparky arrived? How about the Tigers? He was clearly an important factor.
Caputo
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