I wish the Atlanta Braves had a big brat, sorry big bat, in their line up. I’m not advocating they return to the old adage of attempting to hit a 3-run homer every night, but the threat of an offensive weapon keeps the opposition on their toes. They limped into the All Star Break with a record of 43-45, six games behind the National League East leader Philadelphia. One sobering statistic reveals that the average record of a team making the playoffs for the past 5 years at the half way mark is 49-39. The starting rotation is solid but not spectacular while the bullpen will benefit from the three day rest.  Trading Jeff Francoeur was overdue, but trading him to a division rival is tempting fate as players have a habit of coming back and biting their former team in the butt. At the time of writing the Braves have strung together an impressive sequence of good results and moved over .500, but the offense to my mind is too inconsistent and I don’t see them making the playoffs.

I wish I had taken a flight to Lord’s in London to witness England defeating Australia to win an Ashes test match at the headquarters of cricket for the first time in 75 years. The following morning I was attempting to share my excitement with some American friends but there was stunned silence when I explained the test match had lasted nearly five days. Don’t even attempt to explain the rules of cricket to an American who is obsessed with instant gratification on the sports field.  Congratulations also to England’s match winner, Freddie Flintoff playing in his last game at Lords, and he signed off with a magnificent bowling performance in Australia’s second innings.

I wish David Beckham would take his tattoos and slip quietly into the sunset. In my view he is one of the most overrated football players in the history of the game. Apparently LA Galaxy didn’t share my opinion and was mesmerized by the Beckham hype. In 2007 the franchise gave him a multi-million dollar contract worth nearly $250 million over 5 years. The marketing men visualized a money-making opportunity primarily through shirt sales while Galaxy fans were later outraged at his eagerness to move to Milan on loan and skeptical over his genuine commitment to their team. In recent years Galaxy results have not been too impressive with or without Beckham, but they have managed to sell 350,000 shirts featuring his number. Maybe he should set up a stall outside the main gate on match days and confine his energy to selling shirts personally autographed for an additional $5.

I wish Bobby Cox and John Schuerholz had not given away the farm over the past few years; attempting to win another World Series to satisfy their bruised egos before heading for the hills.  Some of their transactions defy logic. In December 2003 Adam Wainwright, Ray King and Jason Marquis were traded to the Cardinals for J.D. Drew and Eli Marrero. Twelve months later, Drew signed a lucrative contract as a free agent with the Dodgers and Marrero was traded to Kansas. Meanwhile Wainwright (10-6 and ERA 3.01) is now a key member of the Cardinals pitching rotation while Marquis is the Rockies’ ace starter with a best win record of 12-6 and an ERA 3.49. Even more bizarre the Braves traded for Mark Teixerra from the Texas Rangers who received Jarrod Saltamacchia, Elvis Andrus, and 3 pitchers: Neftali Feliz, Matt Harrison, and Beau Jones in return. Teixeira was a Brave for 365 days, but aware he was a free agent at season end and they couldn’t afford to sign him, he was traded to the Angels for Casey Kotchman and a minor league pitcher. He subsequently signed a monster contract with the Evil Empire. Meanwhile Salty and Elvis are in the Rangers line up everyday and Harrison is a successful member of their starting rotation. Despite the wheeling and dealing, Casey Kotchman is the only asset the Braves have from those ridiculous transactions.

I wish Michael Vick the best of luck in persuading the NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell to allow him to return to play football. I share the opinion of many who believe that he has served time for his crime and he should not therefore be punished again for the same offence via a suspension by the NFL. If he is allowed to play, I will be curious to know which team is prepared to accept his baggage: by baggage I’m referring to his lack of fitness, the media circus that will stalk his every move, and the PETA protesters who will inevitably set up camp at every stadium he’s scheduled to play.

I wish my local football team Swansea City the very best for their second season in the Championship, which is one division below the Premiership. Swansea is the second city of Wales but they have plied their trade in the English Leagues since 1920. They have a Portuguese manager, paella of Spanish imports, one or two Dutchmen and an Argentinean among their squad of players. I’m not sure what attracts the foreign contingent to Swansea; could it be the entertaining brand of football they play or maybe it’s the thriving nightlife that the city has to offer?

Finally I wish children would not perceive sports stars as role models. They are overpaid and pampered individuals who are lucky to be born with a unique skill for a recreational pursuit which just happens to be very marketable and lucrative. For better or worse the only role models that children should need are their parents.

   
Rarebit Archives:
Superbowl
Six Nations
Antique or Classic
St. David's Day
A Special Relationship
Atlanta Braves Part 1
Atlanta Braves Part 2
The Naked Dog
Mothers Day
 Hoodoos, Arches & Goblins