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A1 Grand Prix - The Car Specs And Interesting Facts
A technical look at the cars taking part in the A1 Grand Prix Of Nations - keeping in mind that they are all kept to the exact same standards in engines and aerodynamics to level the playing field.
For some pictures of the A1 GP cars and for...
Are You A Side-Line Coach
With spring in the air, flower’s and baseball are in full bloom. As the father of a nine-year old son, each day is spent perfecting the art of baseball. This includes making that perfect pitch to first base, snagging those ground balls and...
Golf Training Programs For Women
Golf training programs designed to help condition the body for better golf have really taken off in recent years. Male golfers have not been the only beneficiaries. Many women golfers have also taken full advantage of what must be the most effective...
NHL hockey lockout. Wayne Gretzky for NHL commissioner?
Could or would Wayne Gretzky become the next NHL commissioner? Is it a dream come true? Gretzky to the rescue to save NHL hockey, end the lockout, and everyone could return to play NHL hockey as if nothing ever happened. Gretzky has the reputation...
Sport Essentials
Sport plays a major role during the lives of most people. Whether you be a major sports team fan or play sport yourself there is no doubt you can link it to your life in some way – no matter how old or young you are.
Participating in sports has...
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MLB: What part of “No (Trade Clause)” don’t you understand?
The Phil Nevin proposed trade to the Baltimore Orioles over the weekend for Pitcher Sidney Ponson was a simple case of management finally getting back to them what they’ve been giving to the players over the past few years. In case you haven’t heard, the Padres organization announced this big trade on Sunday without uttering a word about the fact that the slugging first baseman had a limited no-trade clause written into his contract. They even got Xavier Nady prepped and ready to take over at first base since the Nevin deal was supposedly “done”.
They wanted Nevin out of there for good, and since are now willing to damage this man in the national media if necessary. Say what you want about Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, but he took care of his top players, even though it hurt the on-field performance, even to this day.
Basically, because of Nevin’s commitment to this Padres team and his family, he now stands at odds with an organization that has tried to unload him on several different occasions since becoming a hometown favorite since his heroic play in the 1999 season (the year they went to the World Series). After putting up 24 homeruns and 85 rbi’s that season, Nevin followed that up with an even better year in 2000 (31 HR 107 RBI) and even better than that in 2001 (41 HR 126 RBI).
Then, came his big back-loaded contract ($34 million) after the 2001 season; followed by two injury plagued seasons in 2002 and 2003. General Manager Kevin Towers tried to unload Nevin in 2000 for Jeromy Burnitz, but it was Burnitz who vetoed that deal. After that, Towes was talking trade with the Cincinnati Reds for Ken Griffey Jr, but Nevin’s agent
scuttled that one before it got out of the gate. Once Nevin starting getting healthy, San Diego ownership didn’t help matters much for Nevin when they decided to make Petco Park into a pitchers paradise, even though their top hitters were all sluggers (Nevin, Ryan Klesko, and Brian Giles). Obviously, 2003 was a season of discontent for the Padres batters; they were heard loud and clear (and told to shut up).
Nevin is now 34 years old and not putting up the numbers he did in previous years. You can blame the ballpark, or the constant trade rumors; hard to have a good relationship if you’re always in jeopardy of being dumped, you know. But, management now gets to drink their own medicine for once. Nevin’s current contract doesn’t expire till after next season, so the Pads will have to absorb a big chunk of the contract either by releasing him, or trading him to one of the 8 teams where Nevin would be willing to go.
Most team officials are fairly quick to point fingers and whine to the media when a player holds out for a new contract, or because he doesn’t feel appreciated. Now, a guy is exercising his contractual rights and being made to look like a selfish guy for doing so. And believe me; it’ll get worse in the papers for Nevin before it gets better. But, I say, “More power to you, Phil Nevin!!” You made your deal; have honored your contract, and now you’ve been benched and about to take a verbal lashing in the press for it. Stand your ground, Phil, you’ve earned it!!!
About the Author
John Onan is sports writer/moderator at the online players union www.onlineplayersunion.com and football contributor at www.realfootball365.com
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