Sports Surplus

As you periodically will, it’s time to hear from the other voice to which Marc’s blog refers. It’s a voice representative of small-market Kansas City, and while it might often represent the frustration that is Kansas City sports, it nonetheless represents true sports passion:

I’m from Kansas City, and since Marc’s main passions in life seem to be: 1.) Major League Baseball, and 1a.) hating Jason Whitlock, you wouldn’t expect us to see eye to eye. After all, in addition to Kansas City being the home of Major League Baseball’s worst team, the Royals, it is also home of the aforementioned Whitlock. Luckily, I can respond to these subjects by introducing two “passions” that might embody Kansas City in a slightly better light:

1.) Kansas City Chiefs: It is that time of year. It’s mid-August, the kids are going back to school, the temperature is about 103 degrees, and the Royals are about to lose their 80^th game. Chiefs fans have hope this year, as they do every year, and as always, it feels pretty damn good.

On Defense the Chiefs signed Ty Law (by Jason Whitlock’s demand!). They drafted Tamba Hali who will start as a rookie. And, on the D-line with Hali is Jared Allen, who Dick Vermeil (Dick who?) described as having a unique, unbelievable “motor”. Finally, expect linebacker Derrick Johnson to be in Honolulu in February.

On Offense, most people expect a drop-off from the NFL’s #1 2005 offense. Those people are right. Willie Roaf has retired. Fullback Tony Richardson is in Minnesota (where he’s the only player on that offense I’ve ever heard of.) Al Saunders’ high-powered offense is now in the nation’s capitol. Most of all, Chiefs fans will not be accustomed to Herm Edwards' “ball control” where the idea is to win games 17-10, instead of 45-44.

2.) Joe Posnanski, sports-writer, Kansas City Star. Fortunately, it’s not just Whitlock whose (rather large) face appears on the Kansas City Star’s sports section. In this time where I can’t watch a second of ESPN without seeing a mediocre, big-market sports columnist (Woody Page, Skip Bayless, Stephen A. Smith, Dan LeBetard), Posnanski is the best national sports columnist that I bet you’ve never heard of, from the city that, unfortunately, nobody seems to care about. So, while we apologize to fans like Marc who can’t stand the sight of Whitlock, you’ll thank us once you read a column by Poz. He somehow always seems to give Royals fans hope. And when there is no hope, as is often the case, he adds humor to an otherwise embarrassing situation.

Thus, as you can see, there are some reasons to be optimistic about the sports scene in Kansas City. And if not, well then that’s okay, because I’m living in Chicago, the nation’s #1 sports city.

First, in the cruel world of blogging where it is easy to feel insignificant, I want to proudly announce quick results for Sports Surplus. It has come to my knowledge that entering the phrase “Jason Whitlock, also known as, the worst sports writer in the history of sports.” into www.google.com will directly link users to our site. Try it-- money.

Today’s blog is will follow suit with many in the future, on the topic of Major League Baseball (as opposed to ripping on Whitlock, unfortunately), and more specifically focused on the Windy City.

The most interesting story out of the North Side these days, other than the historic Izturis to Cedeno to Mabrey DP Combo, is the “Dusty Watch”. Paul Sullivan wrote in today’s Chicago Tribune about the hints of Baker’s departure in the off-season. Sullivan knows the Cubs as well as anyone, and you should read his article.

Even more intriguing is Joe Girardi’s rift with Florida owner Jeffrey Loria, taking place last week during a Marlins- Dodgers game in which the Dodgers rallied for 6 runs. Reportedly, the Loria was arguing balls and strikes from the dugout (cool, Jeff) and Joe told him where he could stick it. Loria, then ordered Marlins GM Larry Beinfest to fire Girardi, a press conference was set up, only to be halted by everyone else in the organization with half a brain.

In a season of tough luck in Wrigleyville, this is as good as news gets; Girardi is the NL Manager of the Year as far as I’m concerned (too bad they don’t give votes to rookie bloggers); he’s proven that he can handle talented youth, especially pitching. While Baker may or may not be the best way for the Cubs to get back to the playoffs and beyond next year (given the right offseason), its sounding more and more like he’s headed out the door unless Cubs GM Jim Hendry hooks him up with a fat, long term deal—something Hendry can not be ready to do at this point.

Girardi has denied rumor upon rumor about a “handshake deal” to let him flee if the Cubs job opens up, and has played nice for the cameras about his job status and his wishes to remain a Marlin. But the man can read—no one wants the country to know that he was fired because of a disagreement. He deserves more respect, and he probably knows that. Cub faithful are hoping he finds it back in blue pinstripes.

All of this being said, this item has become passé with the quick pace of the modern day electronic media. Thus, it is my new—semester’s resolution to become original and cutting edge so that SS can become know for just more than hating on J Dubs—not that there is anything wrong with that.

See you all if I make it through orientation.

The idea behing Sports Surplus was born in the Spring of 2006, by two Texas undergraduates who decidedly had little future in the sports journalism industry, let alone any industry. While neither of us have jobs yet-- more on that to come-- "the internet" has allowed us to pretend that we too can be sports writers. I will comment from time to time on anything sports or anything I feel like, and I will likely be joined by other guest wanna be writers as well. If there is anyone out there reading, enjoy, and drop me a line.

Today's blog, the first ever, is dedicated to the man who motivated Sports Surplus from concept to delivery; Jason Whitlock, also known as, the worst sports writer in the history of sports. How did this man get a job? Because he was a marginal football player in college?

Perhaps. In the year that I have tracked him, (thanks to the soon to be co-author of this blog representing KC) he has predicted that Texas would get smoked by Oklahoma (Texas won by 33), then took Colorado to upset them the next week (Texas won by 25), defended Barry Bonds, called for the Packers to trade Favre and praised IU for hiring OU's Kelvin Sampson-- calling him the right man to provide "domestic tranquility". Let's just say, I've agreed with about 0% of the things he's ever said.

Today, filling in as host for Jim Rome on "Rome is Burning", he conducted one of the worst interviews of all time with Chargers All-Pro Running Back LaDainain Tomlinson-- asking such questions as "How does it feel to have the same initials as Lawrence Taylor?" and trying to stick Tomlinson in between management and teammate Donnie Edwards, calling L.T. out for not sticking up for Edwards in a recent contract dispute.

All I'm saying is that let's get Whitlock off the air, and someone else on. Like someone else with a blog post or two.

Have a good weekend.