It was a wild one...

I have some amount of respect for umpires. They spend just as much time working on the game as the players do and hold more responsibility with the judgements they make about certain pitches and plays. But, I am furious about home plate umpire Jim Wolfe's attitude during tonight's game. Especially in the first inning when he threw out Ted Lilly after he hit Edgar Renteria with a pitch.

The insanity!

I didn't see anyone tossed when Alfonso Soriano was hit by a pitch in the first pitch of yesterday's game? Nope, not at all. Then Wolfe, who was mic-ed by ESPN for the game, said some peculiar things when darling skipper Lou Piniella asked him why Lilly was ejected. Wolfe clearly stated that he was waiting for it to happen.

And Renteria certainly did not have to try and demolish Mike Fontenot's nose in retaliation of getting hit by a pitch. You still have your fingers, but I don't know where your brains went.

I will agree with Joe over at TVFTB, Joe Morgan and Jon Miller (both of whom I am no particular fan of) and Peter Gammons (who I just adore) treated and covered the situation graciously and very well. And I too am worried about Lilly because this makes him open to a suspension. And that is one of the last things the Cubs need at this point.

------------------------------------

Ok, and I personally swore off writing about Barry Bonds. But I can never give up a habit that easily. But this is from April 3. It's two months old, I should've posted it sooner, but summer classes kick your but harder than regular semester ones do. I have been busy.

Here is another piece I wrote for The Plainsman Press, who I will be back with in the fall and I am really looking forward to it.

Bonds milestone will be missed by Caroline Basile, sports editor With San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds quickly approaching Hank Aaron’s home run record, many people have opted to not even watch the game. I am one of these people. Sadly, the stigma that the steroid allegations have brought on Bonds have driven some supporters away from anything involving him. I can see why, too. Bonds has gone from a treasured and admired player in America’s favorite past-time to the brunt of HGH jokes and criticism. It has never been announced publicly if Bonds failed a drug test. But if he did, I don’t think it would surprise anyone after the many fiascos we’ve all watched Bonds go through. You should realize that your reputation has gone south when the commissioner of baseball, Bud Selig, or the man whose record you are breaking won’t even attend the milestone game of your career. Hammerin’ Hank Aaron won’t attend the game, telling Terence Moore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution “I'm 72 years old, and I'm not hopping on a plane and flying all the way to San Francisco for anybody." I can’t blame Aaron for not going. Why would you watch something you worked so hard at broken by someone else, especially someone with such controversy surrounding him? Selig has stated that the MLB will celebrate it just like any other event, but was not clear about whether he would be attending the game or not. I wouldn’t attend. As an opponent of steroid abuse, I could not sit by and watch someone with so many allegations of steroid use surrounding them and not think the whole time whether he is such an amazing hitter because of pills, or is it natural? Yes, this is a major milestone in baseball, but does it deserve as much attention as Roger Clemens’ 3,000th strikeout got? Or Greg Maddux’s 300th win? It does and probably will get more than enough attention, and that’s for the MLB office to deal with. But on a personal level, I’m not going to watch it or care. Bonds has already hit three home runs this season and needs 15 to match Aaron’s record. The problem that people have with Bonds isn’t just the steroid accusations; it’s just that he hasn’t done much to prove otherwise. Yes, this is a big deal. It’s one of the biggest records in baseball, so how could it not be? But my choice not to watch is my own. I’d much rather watch Tom Glavine get his 300th win and appreciate a player without the tainted image that Bonds has. It shouldn’t be about just Barry either. There have been many exciting moments so far this season. Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle threw a no-hitter on April 18, and Glavine is projected to win his 300th game this season. Also, several hitters are nearing their 500th home run, including Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, and Jim Thome. Personally, I’d rather see these milestones and events get more attention than Bonds’ 756th home run. With this stain on his career, one can’t help but wonder if I’m not the only one not watching, and I know I’m not. Bonds has gone from being admired and honored as one of the top hitters, having surpassed Mark McGwire’s record for most home runs in a season with 72. Every slugger from McGwire to Sammy Sosa to Miguel Tejada has been under steroid scrutiny, but none more so than Bonds. Because of this, no one can believe his constant denials of use. It will take a negative test to get me back to even paying close attention to what Bonds does this season. It takes a test to know the truth, as we all learned in the Anna Nicole baby fiasco, so why not just take a test and prove everyone wrong?

Texas Senate looks to cut steroid abuse

Once again, college = lack of blogging. But not of writing at least something about sports. This is another piece I wrote for the South Plains College Plainsman Press.

Texas Senate looks to cut steroid abuse

by Caroline Basile, sports editor

Many Texas high school students participate in some type of athletic program while attending school.

To some of these students, these sports are everything, and they would do anything to compete well in these activities. Some students even consider and use steroids to bulk up and try to become better athletes.

But the side effects on the body are astounding. Using steroids can increase the risk of cancer and heart disease, and they also cause severe mood swings. I honestly don’t think it is worth it to damage your mind and body to become a better athlete than your teammate.

The Texas Senate has introduced a bill, which is sponsored by Sen. Kyle Janek, R-Houston, that would create a mandatory steroid testing program in 30 percent of Texas public schools that have athletic programs. In addition, athletes must participate in the program in order to play.

Is this a great idea? I think so. It shows high schoolers that it is not acceptable to use substances to create a fake physique. The University Interscholastic League, which is the governing body for Texas public school sports, will create and decide the rules for the testing program.

A similar program was explored at by Texas lawmakers in 2005, but it lost ground when school districts were shocked at the costs. There were estimates that the tests could cost as much as $200 per test.

This should show students that taking steroids is no laughing matter. This would make it just like some professional sports that have random drug testing. It does so many different things to the body and should not be taken with hopes of becoming a big football or basketball star.

The program has many supporters, including former Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus, and Don Hooton, who became an anti-steroid activist after his son Taylor committed suicide at age 17. His doctors believe that it was brought on by depression, which occurred after he quit using steroids.

I know many athletes who are still in high school, trying for scholarships and signing letters of intent. Whether they or their teammates take advantage of the easy access of steroids is still unknown to me, but I hope that they would know better than to mess up their bodies.

Student athletes should be punished for their use of steroids, whether it’s sitting out one game or the whole season. They need to get the idea out of their heads that taking steroids would make them better players. If that means suspending them, then that should be the appropriate action. It just isn’t right for anyone to be using.

This is not the first kind of testing program implemented into public schools. New Jersey implemented a limited testing program in fall 2006. But in comparison, Texas’ agenda against the use of steroids will be the largest effort. More states need to add testing programs, as this would help cut back on steroid use.

I hope that kids in high school realize that they don’t need to use drugs to be better athletes and players. I understand that it can be very competitive, especially if you are in the big game or hoping for an athletic scholarship to a college.

There is just as much pressure to perform well as there is in professional sports. I can see how one can contemplate using steroids. It’s almost as tempting as blowing a stop sign when you see no one else there or cheating on a test. But it’s not worth your neck, or the rest of your body.

---------------------------

Since this was published, several bills about steroid testing in Texas are floating around in the house.

Ok! The following is an opinion piece I wrote for the Plainsman Press, South Plains College's student newspaper. It appeared in the March 5th issue.

New baseball season brings hope...again

by Caroline Basile, sports editor

With spring training starting soon, many fans and their teams are preparing for the start of a new season.

Hope springs eternal in the hearts of many baseball fans as they root and cheer for their team, hoping they make it to October and can win it all.

As a fan of the Chicago Cubs, I have wished, hoped, and prayed way too many times that this year would be ‘the year,’ and every year, along with other Cubs fans, I have been disappointed.

Keeping faith in your team is extremely important. Being a fan, you help to represent your team. It’s your cause. It’s the reason you watch the game on TV, have a party for the big game, and go purchase season tickets.

After the Cubs lost 96 games last season and their rival, the St. Louis Cardinals, made it to the World Series and won it all, disappointment was all I felt. Another losing season, another summer gone. But, with the start of spring training, hope that this year will be different has been rekindled in me. I realize that no matter what, if you stick with your team, they are bound to amaze you somehow.

Yes, the Cubs have not done anything spectacular to show that this upcoming season will be different than the last. The good I saw was that team president Andy MacPhail resigned, and Dusty Baker and his toothpicks were not hired for another season.

I’m neutral, at this point, about the signing of several free agents, including Cliff Floyd and Alfonso Soriano.

I am skeptical of the hiring Lou Piniella as their new manager, only because I think Joe Girardi would have brought a very fresh, young view to the Cubs, of which they are in need.

Also, they gave an additional year to injury risks Mark Prior and Kerry Wood. Why sign them again, when both haven’t won 20 games total in the past two seasons?

Despite all of this, I watch every game when I get the chance. Despite all of the losing, being so close to the World Series in 2003, I watch.

I don't know if I watch because I am a fan, because I was raised on Cubs baseball, or for the thrill of the game. It's many factors, I suppose, but mostly the thrill.

Everyone who has ever been a fan of a team or a game knows the agony of watching a game when the score is tied, there’s a man on third with two outs and the count is 3-2 on the rookie kid who is still nervously at-bat. There is an anxiousness to the game from then on, and you swear on your life that if your team loses, you will never root for them again, never watch, and never buy tickets to their game. The team then loses the game, and everyone is devastated.

But you still root for them.

---------

Of course since then, Mark Prior has been demoted to the minors (it's about time!) and the season has started. I am going to start blogging more, I have been so busy but I'll keep everything up to date as I can.

GO CUBS!

Fans of the year

As I was reading down this list of well-deserving fans of the year (Yeah, you OU fans understand) I saw that somehow us Cubs fans made the list. Yep.


"You, the Chicago Cubs fan who should be enjoying a dynasty right now but instead saw Mark Prior and Kerry Wood throw a combined total of 63 innings last season as your team finished last."

Yeah.

Not much change has happened. Other than signing Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis, and Mark DeRosa.

Not to mention Kerry Wood.

Ok, maybe I'll be so busy with school that I won't even notice how bad this is starting to look already. It's not even spring training yet and there is already negativity about this upcoming season. At least Cubdom does not have to deal with Dusty anymore.

Say hello to your new manager!

The Cubs are planning to announce the hiring of their new manager, Lou Piniella, tomorrow (10/17).

I highly doubt that good ol' Lou is just going to sit around and chew toothpicks. Look at his reactions!







Priceless.

Also! Rumors are swirling that the Cubs are trying to get A-Rod. *laughs* Yeah, I know. Funny.


I really do need to update more. My last update was July 31st, I apologize for that. Not alot has happened this season, at least for the Cubs. For me, yeah, lots of things. College, becoming sports editor of my college's newspaper, trying to pass history, and to try and get enough sleep to be somewhat human everyday.

Another mediocre season gone. Another injured pitching staff still there, crying like babies. Oh, imagine the possibilities.

Yep. I Can't wait until the spring. :D

Going to California...

Well, I do realize I've been lacking in the blogging department lately, sorry about that. I am at work most of the day.

Today was the trade deadline.

A trade was agreed upon that would send Greg Maddux to the Dodgers for Cesar Izturis.

Yeah, I know, Izturis.

The deal isn't sealed yet though, it's got to be approved by Bud Selig first because it involves more than a million in a cash transaction.

It seems the Cubs are looking for a team full of crappy arms, hence sending away Maddux. Look out Big Z, you're the only guy left with a decent arm. I am slightly saddened by this, but not a whole lot. Let's face it, the Cubs suck this year. Bad.

Rancid rotten eggs.

Todd Walker was traded to the Padres for some minor league (A ball folk! Class A!), pitcher and cash.

Don't lose hope, only a few more games left and it'll all be over.


My mom and I were talking, she said to root for a different team. LOL. That's not possible I told her, we bleed blue. But meh, she has a point. I just think I'm going to turn the tv off for the rest of the year. Classes start for me on August 28th. So it may be awhile for blogging.

Long time, no blog

Ok, Jay Mariotti is really pissed. Who can blame him? Truth is, Ozzie Guillen has no class, or tasteful things to say. Look at his tirade he had on Alex Rodriguez for being picky about which team to play for in the WBC.

Guillen should know what he's saying. It's called thinking-before-you-speak. I practice everyday, Ozzie, you can too.

Oh, and Guillen got mad because Marriotti told the Cubs to fire Dusty and hire Bob Brenly. I actually agree with Mariotti. Anyone is better than Baker at this point.

Oh!! Lovely little piece slipped over the wire this afternoon, it seems Kerry Wood might not pitch again this season with a shoulder injury.