Before I begin my babbling, I want to address the question at hand. The answer is similar to the response Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn (Charlie Sheen) gives in the movie "Major League," when asked by a teammate how the hell he ended up playing baseball in the California Penal League. Vaughn, stoically responds, "I stole a car."
I, however, did not steal a car. But I am fortunate to follow in the footsteps of illustrious Senior Sports Consultant, Joe Katuska '03, affectionately known to many of you as "Eddie," "Home-Run" or "Joe Eddie Home-Run." Joe, a former Managing Sports Editor and two-year columnist, wrote his final "What Eddie Heard" column for The Student last week. However, if I know Joe, the end of "What Eddie Heard" is not in the cards and I look forward to reading his column in some larger, more prestigious newspaper after he graduates.
Anyways, Babbling Bostonian, you ask? Well, I'm from the Boston area, so expect columns on Boston sports more often than not. You can also expect topics from all ranges of sports-I don't like to limit myself to the four major sports. My role is to inform the College community of the happenings in the sports world outside of Amherst (and unfortunately, outside of Boston). But I may feel an impulse to give my two cents on Amherst sports as well. So welcome to the reign of the Babbling Bostonian and don't be afraid to continue wondering, "How did this guy get his own column?"
MVP controversy
Let's kick things off with the American League MVP controversy. By voting Miguel Tejada as the American League MVP this week, the Baseball Writers' Association of America has affirmed its belief that the "best player" or best statistical player is not necessarily the Most Valuable Player. It seems as though there are never clear-cut choices for MVP in both the AL or NL; controversy is inevitable. The MVP should go to the player who improves his team the most. In defending Tejada, I immediately point to the fact that Alex Rodriguez's Texas Rangers had a miserable record with him and would have had a miserable record without him. Sure, he improved the Rangers, but you cannot be the most valuable player in the league if your team stinks. Tejada had career numbers this year: .308 average, 34 home runs, 131 RBI. These numbers that may not equal Rodriguez's .300/57/142 campaign, but they are definitely on a similar level.
As newly named A's Coach Ken Macha said this week, "The person who helps you win the most games should be the MVP. The idea is to win games, not just put numbers up." Macha is correct. It's entirely possible that Rodriguez and Tejada could have switched teams this year and the writers would be handing the MVP trophy to A-Rod. But that's not the case, and I think the writers did the right thing in comparing what each player contributed to his team rather than just comparing numbers. Tejada may not be the people's MVP (also known as the MPP-Most Popular Player), but I think he's well deserving of the real MVP award.
NBA ballin'
As a die-hard Boston Celtics fan, it warms my heart to see the Lakers off to their worst start in more than 25 years. For the past few seasons, people around the league have been making comparisons between Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. These people are out of their minds. Granted, Bryant is in the top five in scoring, is averaging just about 10 rebounds a game and just over six assists per game. These incredible statistics, but his team is still 3-7 so far playing without Shaquille O'Neal. I'm not sure whether the Lakers' record reflects O'Neal's importance or Bryant's lack thereof, but it does show that Bryant doesn't have the ability to make his teammates better- something Jordan did and still does. That's enough about the Lakers.
How about those spoiled, rich boys also known as the Dallas Mavericks? The Mavs, playing with three all-stars in their starting lineup, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash and Michael Finley, are becoming a force to be reckoned with in the Midwest Division. Every night, this team has the potential to score 120 points. A lot of nights, they do. They even taught my Celtics a lesson Friday with an impressive victory at the Fleetcenter. Mark Cuban, the Mavs owner (and part-time Dairy Queen manager) must be laughing all the way to the bank. Cuban has truly shown that you can buy a great team and that an enthusiastic owner can improve a team's moral. Stayed tuned to see if the Mavs can keep up their quick start and remain atop the Western Conference.
Moving to the Eastern Conference, as much as I hate to say it, the New Jersey Nets are showing the league that their incredible run to the NBA Finals last season was not a fluke. To tell you the truth, I was a little skeptical when the Nets traded Keith Van Horn and Todd MacCulloch to Philadelphia for 93-year-old Dikembe Mutombo. But the trade has worked well for both teams as the Van Horn has carried the 76ers through Allen Iverson's early season struggles and Mutombo has created the defensive presence in the paint that the Nets missed last year.
I can't talk about the NBA without at least mentioning my Celtics. As expected, Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker never have an off game on the same night and the rest of the supporting cast adequately supplies other necessities. Rotating point guards Shammond Williams and Tony Delk, who looked very suspect before the season started, have produced incredible offensive numbers thus far and seem able to handle the duties at the point. The Celtics appear ready to make another charge at their 17th NBA Championship.
Wrap up
So you've just about survived my first column, what do you think? I gave you a little basketball, a little baseball, and a little personal history, and my next column may be more of the same, but who really knows? The Celtics will always be a favorite topic of mine, and as I witness a few games firsthand over Thanksgiving and Interterm, I'll make sure I babble a little more about my experiences.
I hope you've enjoyed my first column and that you'll keep reading and keep wondering, "How did this guy get his own column?"