Save The Hype

If a Major League Baseball single-season saves record falls in the woods, does it make a sound?

That's the question I ask myself as Francisco Rodriguez prepares to break the record of 57, held since 1990 by former Chicago White Sox closer Bobby Thigpen.

"K-Rod", as the kids call him, tied the record Thursday night by recording his 57th save in the Angels' 7-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

The record is a fine accomplishment in itself, but the hype that accompanies it is quickly becoming a problem.

It seems like the "Francisco Rodriguez for Cy Young" bandwagon is full steam ahead and there are plenty of calls for Rodriguez to be the American League's..*gasp*..Most Valuable Player!

That is one of the more ridiculous assertions I've ever heard. Not just because a closer should never win the Cy Young or MVP, but because quite simply, Francisco Rodriguez's season isn't as good as his save total would indicate.

Saves are a bit of an enigma, much like the RBI. Many fans make the mistake of assuming that because a player has a lot of RBI's, that must mean he's a great hitter. For example, if Player A has 120 RBI's and Player B has only 90, that must mean Player A is better right? But theres so many other variables that go into it, mainly how many times the batters in front of Player A and Player B are getting on base. If Player A's hitters are getting on base at a higher clip, it stands to reason that he'd have more RBIs.

The same general rule applies for saves. With so many stats at our disposal now, it's foolish to look at the guy who has the most saves and automatically determine he is the best closer. It seems to me that a closer on a great team would have a few more save opportunities than one on a poor team.

Now that we have that out of the way, let's get this out of the way.. K-Rod not only isn't worthy of the MVP and Cy Young, he isn't even the best closer in baseball this season.

K-Rod, who is 2-2 with a 2.45 ERA and 72 strikeouts is playing for the team with the best record in baseball, and what is more astonishing to me is not the number of saves that Rodriguez has, but the number of save opportunities he has gotten. The Angels have played in an inordaniate amount of three-runs or less games for a team with the best record in baseball.

What is often the case is a that a closer on such a great team will often struggle to earn saves because his team is so dominant that he just doesn't get many save opportunities, whereas closers on middle of the road teams get more chances because their team plays in closer games.

The truth is, any number of closers in baseball could do what Rodriguez has done if given the same amount of chances. The Angels have bucked that trend this season and Rodriguez is reaping the benefits.

Rodriguez has 57 saves in 65 save chances. Compare that to Houston's Jose Valverde, who has the second most saves in baseball with 42 saves in 52 save opportunities. If he had 65 save opportunities at this point in the season, he wouldn't be at 57 like K-Rod is, but he would still be on pace to break the record. Although if you factor in that Valverde plays his home games in the launching pad that is Minute Maid Park (or whatever they call it these days), maybe he WOULD have 57 saves by now.

Joakim Soria has 36 saves in 41 save chances with a 1.74 ERA and 62 strikeouts for the putrid Kansas City Royals. K-Rod probably had more save opportunities at the all-star break than Soria will have all season. However, if Soria had Rodriguez's 65 save chances and judging by what he's done so far this season, the smart money would say that he would have already broken the record by now.

Then of course there is the guy who has probably been the best closer in baseball this season, Philadelphia's Brad Lidge, who has bounced back nicely after Albert Pujols nearly ruined his life a few years ago. Lidge has not blown a save yet this season, a perfect 36-for-36, with a 2.04 ERA and 80 strikeouts.

Does that mean that if Lidge had K-Rod's 65 save chances that he would have 65 saves now? No, but it's a safe bet that he'd probably already be over 57 if given that amount of opportunities.

Although it may seem like it, this is not meant as a slight on K-Rod's season. But Bobby Thigpen didn't break the record because he's the most dominant closer in baseball, and K-Rod won't either.

He's been fantastic this season and I'm sure he'll be happy to have someone like the Mets overpay for him in the off-season. But the harsh reality is that what he is doing is much more a statement on the odd amount of save chances he has gotten for an 89 win team this season, rather than a statement on his play this year.

So save your Cy Young votes for one of the starting pitchers that gets the ball to these closers in the ninth inning and your MVP votes for someone that, you know.. plays more than one inning every couple of games.

Tour de Farce

It's been 24 hours since American cyclist Lance Armstrong ended his three-year retirement and already the Tour de France frontmen are lambasting their event's greatest champion.

Race director Christian Prudhomme said Wednesday that Armstrong may compete in the event, but emphasized on four different occasions that the seven-time champion would have to clear the Tour's revamped drug-testing program.

Prudhomme's repetition of those statements was not said to be procedural or even serve as a warning, but more of a veiled threat.

Watch out Lance. The French cycling community is out to get you.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

In 2005, the French sports daily L'Equipe reported that Armstrong used the banned performance enhancer EPO during his first Tour win in 1999. It took 2 hours for then-Tour director Jean-Marie Leblanc to vehemently praise the sport's testing policy and proclaim Armstrong as arrogant for thinking he could cheat the system.

In 2006, a Dutch investigator appointed by the Union Cycliste Internationale exonerated Armstrong, saying that the sample had been tampered with after it was locked away in the Tour's own secure storage facility.

It's been two years and the Tour has yet to offer any kind of response, let alone a retraction.

For a race that disqualified its 2006 winner, Floyd Landis, for a positive test and disallowed its 2007 champion, Alberto Contador, from defending his title because of his alleged connection to another prominent doping case, you'd think the Tour would embrace the return of the man who should be their golden boy. Instead, it continues to cast out aspersions like fishing lines, dissatisfied with the catches of yesteryear, hoping to hook one more yellow-jerseyed big one.

There is little question that Armstrong's seven consecutive Tour titles from 1999 to 2005 is the longest run of dominance in any sport. There is little question that come July 4, 2009, Armstrong will be the man to beat in France, despite his 3-year absence from the event.

And there is little question that the embittered French cycling community, which hasn't seen one of its native sons win the event since 1985, will do everything it can to ensure that doesn't happen.

In their eyes, Armstrong has never bested them, he's an excellent fraud who has bested their drug-testing system. He's the one that got away.

And he'll keep getting away, too. Because the farce is not the legitimacy of Armstrong's Tour victories, it's the unbiased portrayal of the body that governs cycling's greatest event.

Make no mistake, Armstrong will win the Tour de France in 2009. He'll again be touted as the world's greatest individual athlete. And that governing body will still be out there fishing, hoping to hook him.

The more things change, the more they stay them same.

NFL needs to end late nights

How many times have you heard the saying "nothing good happens after midnight?"

Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Richard Collier was shot and critically wounded at 2:45 a.m. Tuesday and you can be sure that if he pulls through, the loved ones praying by his bedside will reinforce that mantra to him. If he doesn't pull through, you can be sure that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will reinforce that mantra to the rest of the league.

The 26-year-old Collier and former Jags teammate Kenneth Pettway were parked in Collier's Escalade waiting for two women they had met in a night club earlier that evening when a gunman opened fire on the vehicle, striking Collier several times.

The shooting was the third in the last 20 months in which an active NFL player has been critically wounded. Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was killed in his limo on January 1, 2007 following an argument at a night club. Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor died on November 27, 2007, a day after being shot in his home during a robbery. All three shooting occurred between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.

While these three are the most extreme of examples, there is no shortage of athlete-related altercations in the wee hours of the morning. Seemingly every week, an NFL player's name appears on a police report.

The "where" part of the equation is typically the same: late night, out on the town, in or around a bar or night club. The "why" also remains a constant: someone gets jealous, words are said, tempers flare and things get out of hand. The "what" varies only slightly depending on to what degree the altercation escalates. The "who" is the only piece of the formula that really changes.

The similarities between the shooting Collier was involved in and the one that killed Williams are strikingly similar. The one in which Taylor was shot at home was it an extreme rarity, the exception and not the rule.

Nonetheless, each of the three incidents shares that one indisputably common thread - time.
Goodell knows it. The NFL owners know it. And the players can no longer claim to be naive enough not to know it.

A mandatory curfew of 1 a.m. needs to be put in place. Not just on the night before games, not just every night of the season, but every night of the year.

A curfew would keep the headlines involving NFL players in the sports section and out of the crime log. It would mean that Williams would still be alive. It would mean that Adam "Pacman" Jones and Ray Lewis never would have been accused of conspiracy to commit murder. It would greatly help the image of the league, ensuring that America's favorite sport remains just that.

When punishing problematic players, a curfew would be something solid Goodell and the NFL owners could lean on rather than the vague description of the league's personal conduct policy. After all, while these athletes are commodities. The organizations with whom they are contracted ahve both a personal and monetary interest in protect their investments.

Would it be practically impossible to enforce, yes. But a 1 p.m. curfew would leave no gray area. There would be no flexing or shifting of the line in the sand. It would be in the same spot for both a franchise quarterback and a third-string linebacker. It would either be crossed or wouldn't be crossed.

If Richard Collier pulls through, you can be sure that he'll never cross that line again. It's high time Goodell and the NFL owners make it very clear where that line is and do it before tragedy strikes another one the league's players.

Call to Step Up

Inconsistency has been the biggest problem in the eight-year career of Lamar Odom. Before this season, his stint with the Los Angeles Lakers has been plagued with questions about his passion to play in the spotlight next to the NBA's best player in Kobe Bryant. He hasn't always flourished in being the second option behind Bryant. As a matter of fact, he tended to shy away from the role rather than embrace it.

Because of his reluctance to step into the role, he has been involved in numerous trade possibilities, which only caused him to shrink further away from the greatness that people were predicting him to reach as an NBA player when the Los Angeles Clippers drafted him out of Rhode Island in 1999.

Fast forward to February 1st when the Lakers swindled Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies. To say that the Lakers acquired a great player for peanuts is an understatement. To say that they acquired two great players for peanuts is more accurate. Since that time, the player who has benefited the most has been Odom. Even though he has had his share of mental lapses coming down the stretch of the season, and most notably in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against San Antonio, Odom is starting to undergo a transformation that can propel his so-far mediocre career at best into a potential perennial All-Star, and maybe a future Hall of Fame player.

Well, I shouldn't get too far ahead of myself. On the eve of the start of the NBA Finals, Odom must first learn to play in that spotlight, which he had tried to aviod for so long. This will not be a coming-out party for Bryant as it will for Odom. In Game 5 of the Conference Finals against the Spurs, Bryant delivered the knock-out punch to San Antonio, but Odom delivered the body blows with a sparkling 13 points and tremendous help-out defense on Tim Duncan.

If Odom can consistently put up double-double and play solid defense on Kevin Garnett every night, then the Lakers will win the championship.

For the Lakers to win, Lamar Odom win need to have an All-Star series.

With the first overall pick in this year's NFL draft...

Here are picks 1-31 of the Between the Lines mock draft. All picks were made under the premise that no trades had taken place, though some undoubtedly will.

Editor's note: The New England had to forfeit its pick as punishment for video taping the New York Jets coaching staff during a game.

#1/Miami takes Chris Long, DE-Virginia (6-4, 280) - While it's premature to say that he's going to be as good as his former Raider father, Long's speed and ability to stop the run makes him a perfect fit for the Dolphins' 3-4 defense. Bill Parcells thinks he's good enough to replace Jason Taylor.

#2/St. Louis takes Jake Long, OT-Michigan (6-7, 315) - Losing Orlando Pace last season made the Rams realize how valuable a strong and agile offensive lineman can be. It won't be long before Long starts regularly freeing Steven Jackson for runs up the middle or catches in the flat.

#3/Atlanta takes Matt Ryan, QB-Boston College (6-5, 220) - Rebuilding projects that figure to take as long as the Falcons' will typically start with quarterback and Ryan is head and shoulders above his draft-eligible peers. His nonexistent rapsheet also helps. The only way he'd be a better fit is if he became a card-carrying member of the ASPCA.

#4/Oakland takes Darren McFadden, RB-Arkansas (6-2, 205) - While the Raiders have a ton of needs with running back being fourth or fifth on the list, Al Davis won't be able to resist the allure of drafting the man who could be the next great running back.

#5/Kansas City takes Ryan Clady, OT-Boise State (6-6, 317) - The Chiefs desperately need someone to open up lanes for Larry Johnson and with Jake Long off the board, Clady is their best bet. He'll start right away and should keep his job for years to come.

#6/New York Jets take Vernon Gholston, DE-Ohio State (6-4, 264) - If Chris Long is the top defensive end in this year's draft, Gholston is one heck of a consolation prize. He'll waste little time improving a Jets pass-rush that was 25th in sacks last season.

#7/New England (from San Francisco) takes Aquib Talib, CB-Kansas (6-2, 205) - Why would the Patriots scour free agency and the trading block for a corner to replace Asante Samuel when they can get Talib on the cheap? His size and athleticism give him versatility, something Bill Belichick highly values.

#8/Baltimore takes Leodis McKelvin, CB-Troy (6-3, 233) - If the Ravens want to get their defense closer to what it once was, they need to add a talented young corner to the rotation. McKelvin gives them that and makes Samari Rolle, 31, and Chris McAllister, 30, expendable.

#9/ Cincinnati takes Glenn Dorsey, DT-LSU (6-2, 303) - An unhealthy history is to blame for him dropping this far, but he'll fall no further. The Bengals have holes all over their defense so why not start by filling the one front and center. Cinci would be ecstatic if Dorsey lands in its lap.

#10/ New Orleans takes Sedrick Ellis, DT-Southern Cal (6-2, 305) - The Saints can have all the offensive firepower in the world, but they won't get anywhere if they again finish 30th pass defense and 25th in total yards allowed. Ellis isn't the ultimate solution, but he'll go a long way to helping improve those rankings.

#11/ Buffalo takes Phillip Merling, DE-Clemson (6-5, 280) - Though he provides more strength than speed, lining up next to newly-acquired Pro Bowl tackle Marcus Stroud will ensure that he gets a lot of one-on-ones. What he does with them remains to be seen.

#12/ Denver takes Keith Rivers, OLB-Southern Cal (6-3, 235) - The Broncos might be reaching here, but they are in desperate need to add some youth to its aged linebacking corps. Not only is Rivers quick in pursuit of the ball, he's effective blitzing off the edge.

#13/ Carolina takes Jonathan Stewart, RB-Oregon (5-11, 230) - Don't mistake Deshaun Foster's dismissal as a vote of confidence for D'Angelo Williams. Unlike Williams, Stewart is as big of a receiving threat as he is a rushing one. His route running underneath will give Steve Smith more space over the top.

#14/ Chicago takes Rashard Mendenhall, RB-Illinois (5-11, 224) - The Bears are really wishing they had kept Thomas Jones. Cedric Benson will be given a chance to redeem himself, but if he fails again, Chicago will at least have the home-town kid waiting in the wings.

#15/ Detroit takes Chris Williams, OT-Vanderbuilt (6-6, 320) - After taking flashy wideouts in Round 1 each of the last four years, it's time the Lions take a player at the exact opposite end of the spectrum. Jon Kitna needs time to get those receivers the ball and Williams will give him that. It won't be long before he works his way out of the rotation an in to regular playing time.

#16/ Arizona takes Mike Jenkins, CB-Southern Florida (5-10, 197) - Though he's smaller than Talib and McKelvin, Jenkins is considered by many to be the most athletic and complete cover corner in this year's draft. He's exact what the Cardinals need after finishing 28th in pass defense in 2007.

#17/ Minnesota takes Malcolm Kelly, WR-Oklahoma (6-4, 217) - After watching Baltimore, Carolina and Chicago all pass on him, Kelly finally finds a home with the Vikings. He's physical, quick, has good hands and will be the first player chosen from a deep receiver class. Don't be surprised to see him starting in the slot on opening day.

#18/ Houston takes Dan Connor, ILB-Penn State (6-3, 233) - Yes, DeMeco Ryans has perennial Pro Bowler written all over him, but Connor would be a good complimentary player when the Texans use the 3-4. His work ethic should be enough to make him a mainstay on the team.

#19/ Philadelphia takes Calais Campbell, DE-Miami (6-8, 280) - With Jevon Kearse no longer in the mix, the Eagles will want to get a freak and Campbell fits the bill. He has all the necessary attributes of a good defensive lineman in the body of offensive guard. His one-and-done at the combine is the biggest reason why he's still available this late.

#20/ Tampa Bay takes Devin Thomas, WR-Michigan State (6-2, 215) - Joey Galloway isn't going to be around forever and Michael Clayton hasn't established himself as any kind of a predecessor. Thomas had an outstanding junior year and had arguably the best showing at the combine.

#21/ Washington takes Derrick Harvey, DE-Florida (6-2, 262) - The Redskins are still satisfied playing the waiting game with Jason Campbell and Clinton Portis and an offensive lineman might be a bit of a reach here. Harvey will help them bolster their pass rush, making an already strong defense even better.

#22/ Dallas (from Cleveland) takes Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB-Tennessee State (6-1, 181) - While the Cowboys tied for sixth in the league with 20 interceptions, only 11 of those came from their cornerbacks. Starters Anthony Henry and Terence Newman have average speed, something that Rodgers-Cromartie has plenty of.

#23/ Pittsburgh takes Limas Sweed, WR-Texas (6-5, 219) - Ben Rothlisberger had a great season last year, but he misses having a big body to throw the ball to. Sweed can out-jump most DBs in the league and also has the ability to stretch the field with his speed.

#24/ Tennessee takes DeSean Jackson, WR-California (6-0, 166) - Vince Young likes throwing bombs deep and Jackson likes out-running everyone to catch them. He is the fastest of the top-flight wideouts in this years class and has a good first step. He has the potential to be a very disruptive slot receiver early.

#25/ Seattle takes Kentwan Balmer, DT-North Carolina (6-5, 295) - Seattle has a good line, but could use some help in the middle. Balmer might not start right away, but he'll be heavily involved in the rotation. His height in the middle is something not many tackles possess.

#26/ Jacksonville takes Lawrence Jackson, DE-Southern Cal (6-5, 265) - The Jaguars don't have a lot of needs so they can afford to draft based on potential and Jackson fits the bill. He was a consensus top-10 pick heading into the 2007 season, but a slow start and the emergence of line-mate Sedrick Ellis dropped his stock a bit. He could be a steal at 26.

#27/ San Diego takes Kenny Phillips, FS-Miami (6-2, 210) - In every draft, there are steals and then there are highway robberies. No one is questioning the Chargers talented trio of cornerbacks that led the league in interceptions last season, but how nice would it be to have a corps. of safeties to match it?

#28/ Dallas takes Felix Jones, RB-Arkansas (6-0, 207) - This pick is by no means a knock on the Cowboys current back, Marion Barber, but with Julius Jones leaving town, the Cowboys need a dependable second back. Felix isn't going to get many carries, but he will return kicks, something he did well last year, averaging 29.6 yards.

#29/ San Francisco (from Indianapolis) takes Jeff Otah, OT-Pittsburg (6-6, 332) - No goal should be more paramount for the Niners than keeping franchise quarterback Alex Smith on the field. While Otah didn't play organized football until his senior year of high school, many think that he has more upside most of his first-round contemporaries.

#30/ Green Bay takes Reggie Smith, CB-Oklahoma (6-0, 196) - Smith can play both the safety and cornerback positions with above-average results making him the most versatile defensive back in this year's draft class. The Packers could definitely use him to spell aging corners Charles Woodson and Al Harris.

#31/ The New York Giants take Chilo Rachal, OG-Southern Cal (6-5, 315) - The Giants really don't have a whole lot of needs. Some think Rachal didn't show enough individual ability over a long enough period of time, but the Giants can afford to gamble on a guy others project to develop into a Pro Bowler.