By JIMMY D / Cuba loves baseball, Jimmy struggles on beach | Jimmy's archive
Steroids are worth the risk.
Listen to professional athletes, Olympians – even some punks Jimmy knew in high school – and you’d think that steroids are just a little, minor-risk boost to help you along your sporting way.
‘It’s not cheating – they actually let you work harder, so you can do even more work. How is that cheating?’ Jimmy was once challenged.
Win Olympic gold, get a $50-million contract, earn some endorsement or just look better on the beach to interest a few babes.
Well, losing your gold medal and getting banned from your sport is no fun. Nor is getting the cold shoulder from your sport’s Hall of Fame, despite your ongoing protestations (yes, Roger, we believe you dude)?
Illness and death have been attributed to abuse. And now this!
With Manny Ramirez’s 50-game ban following a positive drug test, it’s safe to say his rumoured erectile dysfunction will lead to projectile dysfunction for the Dodgers – as in no baseballs getting launched off the slugger’s bat.
It adds a whole new spin on the time-honoured baseball trick of corking your bat and underscores that even if you’re healthy and rich and at the top of your game, some things don’t quite work the way you want them to. Isn’t that reason enough to lay off steroids, fellas?
What does that lengthy preamble focused on Manny’s love life – or lack thereof - have to do with fantasy sports? Well, it means you should be scouring the waiver wire for Juan Pierre, the speedy Dodger outfielder who should get plenty of plate appearances and plenty of steals in Manny’s absence.
As if you to prove his point, he was 9-for-16 through the weekend, with four runs scored and two swiped bags. This is a guy who has always been safe for 45-60 bases when playing fulltime. Need some average (he’s a career .301 hitter) and some SBs? Say ‘bonjour’ to Pierre and ‘Hasta luego’ (see you later) to Ramirez.
Waiver pitch
Jimmy’s Grass Gremlins are jockeying for first place in his main league and a bit of pitching is required. If your fantasy baseball team is in the same situation, take a peek at the waiver wire for these names.
Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado – The Rockie righty is turning the corner back to respectability and could be a great pickup at this time. Many of you ditched him (rightfully) after three April bombs, but he has made three solid starts and his stats point to a good stretch of Ks and low ERA.
Scott Richmond, Toronto – OK, he probably got scooped up in your league of Blue Jay lovers, but the 29-year-old rookie is still un-owned in 45 per cent of Yahoo! leagues. He was 4-0 in April and pitched well in a loss to Oakland last week where he went eight innings.
Barry Zito, San Francisco – Yes, THAT Barry Zito. It seems like he’s been washed up for years, but the former Cy Young winner is only 30 and his splits indicate he has found his curveball again and can put up decent numbers for you.
Girl runs with the boys
The Preakness Stakes goes Saturday and just like last year’s Kentucky Derby when Eight Belles finished second, a filly will be in the mix. Rachel Alexandra won the Kentucky Oaks (the ladies event a day before the Derby) by 20 lengths and she could be a formidable foe.
There is plenty of Preakness Stakes handicapping information and articles at www.TurfnSport.com which could help you win your horse contest or Triple Crown wager.
The favorite could be Friesan Fire, who was the Derby favorite but was injured during the run and finished 18th in the field of 19.
Jimmy D
jpoole@herald.ca |
