And The Manhunt Begins....

The most wanted man in Chicago is a guy that wears his lid to the right and wears Kanye's white shades. He should be arrested just for that. I'm not that big on fashion, but that's just fugly.

So some clown decides to perfectly time a beer toss while no one is looking that way and now people want names/address/blood type/eye color/age/weight/birthday/sexuality of this guy. WHY?

What good does it do to single out some clown and give him an extra 15 minutes of fame? None. Do I feel sorry for the guy who was falsely accused of the "crime"....of course, but keep in mind that he was taunting Victarino after the incident as well. There were fans cheering the act last night and after the hangover wears off this morning I'm sure are saying "this guy should be burned at the stake for this!!!" Do I feel sorry for tubby who was promptly ejected by Cubs security? Not enough where I demand justice of true "criminal" of the matter. It does nothing to start a witch hunt for the suspect and demand he face his sentence.

Should he be banned from Wrigley Field like many meatball Cubs fans have said? NO. Like any other ballpark there are idiots at every turn...even at US Cellular Field. There is going to be incidents like this like it or not and the best thing to do is just move on and let the incident fade away.

Don't get me wrong, I think the act was (to be frank) bulls**t but in no way does identifying this "fan" do anything but cause more problems. If his name is released I'm sure there are some nuts out there that will track him down, call him relentlessly, heckle him at all times of the day, and for the most part make his life more miserable than it already is. What good does that do? Nothing.

Let's all act like grown ups and remember that idiots will act like idiots.....let's just move on. Sometimes you just can't stop stupidity and lets face it people, all in all it's just an expensive waste of a good cold one.


-RoCK
Joe O and Rock Show Saturday Nights On The Score
Follow The Show at: twitter.com/joeoandrockshow

Baseball's Best Fights - w/VIDEO!!!!

In light of the recent Kevin Youkilis/Rick Porcello fight last night.....let's take a trip back to what I believe is the top 5 baseball fights/scuffles/brawls/fisticuffs/tussles of all time.....

In case you missed Youk/Porcello.....


#5 - IZZY ALCANTARA KICKS CATCHER....STARTS BRAWL

Never seen anything like it. Izzy super kicks the guy like Shawn Michaels back in da day.

#4 - DAYTON DRAGONS VS. PEORIA CHEIFS

Cubs prospect Julio Castillo throws a ball at the dugout full speed.....and like Carlos Marmol of late misses hit target. The ball flies in the stands striking a fan in the head......Castillo got 30 days in jail and 3 years probation for the errant toss.

#3 - Don Zimmer Charges Pedro

There's nothing funnier than a senior citizen thinking he's still tough. Not a large fight....but still pretty damn funny.

#2 - AJ vs. Barrett (no embed video...but click here to view)

This put a new wrinkle on the crosstown series. Personally this one is my favorite because it was Michael Barrett's greatest highlight. Sucker punches are always so fun to watch.

#1 - ?

I don't know exactly what to say about this one.....this is a dance I learned in 3rd grade when I had to run to the bathroom in the middle of class.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Kyle Farnsworth vs. Reds - Click Here To View

Nolan Ryan vs. Robin Ventura - Click HERE To View

Another Classic Japanese Baseball Fight - Click Here To View

and of course....The Cleveland Indians fighting each other


-RoCk

Joe O And Rock Show - EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT ON THE SCORE
FOLLOW THE SHOW AT twitter.com/joeoandrockshow

Patrick Kane: Perspective.....

So Patty Kane got arrested in Buffalo, NY Sunday morning and charged with felony robbery and misdemeanor counts of theft and criminal mischief. The incident allegedly happened because the cab driver did not have .20 cents change to give back to Kane and his cousin (James) after a cab ride to an unknown destination.

I'm not here to defend Kane and his alleged actions but working today's Mully and Hanley Morning Show and listening to the response of our listeners, I was shocked to learn how fast people play that morals card they have in their hip pocket. What Kane allegedly did was extremely wrong, but why are we so quick to judge in today's society?

We still haven't heard Kane's assessment of what happened and yet some people were calling for him to be traded this morning. Really?? That's what it's come to?? Everyone wants to nail this KID to the cross because he got aggravated over .20 cents in change? For Shame!

The issue isn't that Kane and his cousin allegedly went nuts on a cabbie.....it's that he was drinking at the age of 20!!! It's was funny listening this morning that people were insulted this multi-million dollar BOY went to extreme lengths to beat up a cab driver over a mere .20 cents. Yet when you bring up the issue of a multi-million dollar BOY drinking underage....people laughed it off with the excuse "Who doesn't drink at 20?" "Everyone in Buffalo drinks".

Aren't we missing the point here people?

What we should be more concerned with is the fact that a 20 year old KID was partying on Chippewa Street In Buffalo (a hot spot for a good time) and they served him. 20 YEARS OLD!!!! It just goes to show you that with celebrity comes certain luxuries which in Kane's case involves being able to drink in his hometown underage. That's something that needs to be addressed more than the beating of a Buffalo, NY taxi cab driver. Without the alcohol there is no incident, no mug shot, no court date, no controversy.

Think of when you were a young kid and when you tried to test the limits of life with a couple of beers. I bet you've done something in your life where the influence got to you too. What was the outcome of the event? A lesson in how abusing alcohol can make you do things which you wouldn't do in normal life.....which is indeed what happened Sunday night with James and Pat Kane.

So, to all those who want to berate this KID.....for shame.

-RoCk

Twitter: FEAR THE FUTURE

Before I begin....you can follow me at:
Twitter.com/rock_mamola
&
Twitter.com/joeoandrockshow
Follow me!!



As a member of the Twitter network for almost two years now, this week I saw some news of how mainstream media is still somewhat afraid of what some could consider as the death of print media. This week ESPN sent out a memo (which you can read HERE via Deadspin) to it's employees basically stating that any news to be reported by their "talent" (if you wanna call them that) is to be strictly prohibited to ESPN.COM and their television outlets only. Basically....if you have a story:
#1- You may not tweet the breaking news
#2 - You may not blog the breaking news
#3 - You can't have or state an opinion on "sports related content" unless authorized
#4 - Avoid giving inside scoops/internal policies on social networks
#5 - Don't respond to challenges by "critics" of your work
#6 - The Mouse will kick you a$$ if you violate any of these rules.


In an age of the 24/7 news cycle where news is broke at a seconds notice and with competition between newspapers/online media outlets/blogs/etc.....how can you restrict your people to branching out into the "new media?" That makes no sense to me at all.

I understand to some degree that corporations are concerned that if you allow the people (talent) to speak their minds that it may hurt your organization in the end. They didn't hire you for your opinion on what's going on, they hired you to do what's in the best interest of the organization. Some recent instances show that maybe Twitter isn't good for big business. For example, the whole Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth) /Chad Ocho Cinco (@OGOchoCinco) back and forth on twitter where an argument didn't happen face to face...but more less Blackberry to IPhone making the discussion not private but a public event. Or the recent fine of Antonio Cromartie (@crimetime31) by the SD Chargers where he tweeted negative comments about the food served at training camp.

But why does big business fear the same people they hire? Are they not allowed to use a platform to communicate with "followers" in ways that were previously not available?

That's the kind of information you can't get anywhere else at a seconds notice. People want it now and in the 140 characters or less. If it were reported in the print media, you would read it the next day in the paper. It's the fact that you can get exactly what Shaq's (@the_real_shaq) next conquest is, or what Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) is eating for lunch that makes this so interesting. Some may think that what Kevin Durant (@KevinDurant35) does in his free time isn't that interesting.....but why then do 55,746 people sign up to "follow" Durant and his ustream broadcasts? Why do 796,964 people care what Serena Williams is up to? Over 1.68 MILLION people want to know what Lance Armstrong is up to on a min-by-min basis. Obviously people want their info straight from the source and without approval.



The technology allows the fan to communicate with the athlete therefore removing the middle man (print media). Twitter accounts are frowned upon by professional franchises because it allows unfiltered news/comments about what is going on with their team. But isn't that what makes twitter attractive?

The fan is sick of the generic filtered response of sports....they want to be more inside and know what the inner workings are. Why not let athletes tweet their thoughts during a game....wouldn't it make the game a little more interesting? Wouldn't it give the "print media" and "digital media" more fodder to talk about? The fact that 10 NFL teams so far have banned reporters from tweeting the activities of training camps around the country is rediculous. I enjoy reading what Zach Zaidman (@zachzaidman), Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs), David Haugh (@davidhaugh) are updating LIVE from Bourbonnais. For the people that can't go, can't listen to the radio and don't wanna wait till the next day to read the updates from camp.....pull out your phone and read in real time what's going on with a little editorial here and there. That's the attraction. Information fast and easy to read with no fodder or censorship.

Companies should be promoting this service and learn to adjust to it. Promote the fact that your people have the best information and will get it to you the quickest and easiest way to read it possible. To hold "talent" back from sharing information and waiting for an "ok" from the big boys in expensive suits is just absured.

Let the "talent" be what they are....reporters who get information and make it compelling to read. That's what the people want and in an extremely competitive era of sharing info.....you better get with the program.

-RoCk
twitter.com/rock_mamola
twitter.com/joeoandrockshow

So I'm watching NASCAR on a monday morning and for some reason I'm more into it than on a normal weekend. I'm calling for more Monday NASCAR races!!!
-Rock

Wade Adds New Story-Line To Bear-Bonnais

In case you haven't been around the web or listened to the Score in a couple of hours.....Bobby Wade visited KFAN w/Paul Allen earlier today and here's what has stirred all "Bear Nation" up:

Paul Allen (KFAN) asked Bobby Wade about his relationship with Lance Briggs and if they've talked about Jay Cutler and Wade brought up a conversation he had with Brian Urlacher last weekend in Las Vegas and he talked about it:

Wade: " I actually saw Brian Urlacher this past weekend in Vegas and we had a long conversation about it. And he was....he wasn't....I don't wanna get him in trouble, but it wasn't what they expected. Pretty much he said Jay Cutler is a P**** for the most part"

Now since this has to be G rated....P****....think of a word that rhymes with wussy but start it with a "P".

The Bears officially report on Friday to Bourbonnais and all the buzz has been about the acquisition of Jay Cutler. However, there are many other questions about this Bears team rather than who is taking the snaps. For example:

#1 - Who is Jay Cutler going to throw to exactly?
Bears WR Depth chart isn't that intimidating with the likes of Devin Hester (665 yds. 3 tds 2008), Earl Bennett (no stats), Rashied Davis (he's still around?), Juaquin Iglesias (Take a drink every time he's mention as a great singer), Johnny Knox (he was great in jackass...QUICK...TAKE A DRINK!!), and Brandon Rideau (?). This could be by far the worst WR core in the NFL and it'll be interesting to see how much better Jay Cutler can make these bunch of question marks this season.....if at all. In other words, thank god for Greg Olson who I think will have a career year this year.

#2 - Not Only questions about the defense getting better....but is the secondary gonna stop anyone?
Hopefully the back surgery Charles Tillman has doesn't keep him out too long, but then again when he comes back (which some say mid September and Tillman says week 1) will he be football ready? There's a difference between being healthy and being football ready and I fear that Tillman will be rushed back much like the White Sox rushed back Contreras this spring. Wasn't the same guy because he wasn't given the proper time frame to get baseball ready.

As far as the safeties go....does Craig Steltz, Kevin Payne and Josh Bullocks make you feel comfortable? Did you see tape of Josh Bullocks?? If not...
Josh Bullock New Orleans Tape....He\'s #29

Makes you wish to see Mike Brown back and pray he can stay healthy a whole year.

#3 - The offensive line....re-tooled, but better?
With the additions of Pro Bowler Orlando Pace as well as Frank Omiyale, a healthy Chris Williams and Kevin Shaffer...the Bears made it a point to beef up the offensive line. Although I like what the Bears did, there is questions with each of the four names I just listed. Can Orlando Pace stay healthy and be productive? If Frank Omiyale is starting.....can he start a whole season (he's only started 1 game in a 4 year career)? Is Chris Williams ready for NFL type action on a down to down basis adjusting to the RT position when he's a career LT? Kevin Shaffer....eh, he's probably not going to be much of a factor anyway. Remember that the key to Jay Cutler's success and health depends on the horses in front of him.

#4 - The Marinelli Effect
The biggest coaching decision this off season isn't Lovie Smith deciding to call all defensive plays during a game....it was the hiring of win-less Rod Marinelli as defensive line coach. The Bears defense was near the bottom of the NFL in sacks and that is something the need to improve. With pro bowlers like Tommie Harris and Adawale Ogunleye, they should be getting pressure on the QB which hopefully will lead to some turnovers. Rod Marinelli morphed Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice while he was in Tampa....let's see if he can do the same with Tommie and the prince.

AND NOW.....#5 - What does the team really think of Jay Cutler?
This will be the question asked to almost every player on the roster now that Bobby Wade leaked that Urlacher thinks Cutler is a P****. Do I believe Bobby Wade? I think so because I think it says something when an organization trades away a locker room favorite (Orton) to improve the position. You'll always get the usual "the NFL is a business line" from all the players, but I think there is something to be said about how teammates liked Kyle Orton and may not be comfortable yet with Cutler. Orton was named one of the team captains for a reason....he earned his spot to start a QB last year after all and therefore his teammates gave him the "C". Now after 1 season as their "captain", he's shipped out for the sexy top name guy in the NFL off season.

Look at your workplace. Say you have a co-worker that's been waiting for that opportunity to get that big promotion. He does everything he's asked and yet still gets criticized by management because it's never good enough. You feel sorry for the guy because he's a good guy that means and works well under high pressure situations. Then comes the day he gets his shot.....he does his best to keep the job. In fact, he works so hard that he's voted employee of the month. You feel so happy that a good guy finally got his break. Then he gets shipped over seas because the company likes this top name sales rep that they think will make the company more money. How do you feel about the good guy that worked so hard to get that shot, got it, then had it taken away from him?

I think that's how alot of the Bears players feel about Jay Cutler. Do I think that this could affect training camp and the mood of it? Not really because I'm sure once the team gets to know Cutler a little....a few weeks in Bourbonnais will help quiet the fires the Chicago media has already started to light.

Plus...who the f*** is Bobby Wade?

- RoCk

Don't miss the Joe O and Rock Show EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT on 670AM and 670thescore.com

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Buy Or Sell......

With the July 31st trade deadline fast approaching and our two baseball teams in town still to really make a statement whether or not they're serious about contending in their own divisions.....time to play a little buy or sell.
(and yes....I did steal that from ATH)


The 2009 Chicago Cubs came into today's game vs. Cleveland with a 31-31 record (4 games back of Milwaukee) when last year through the first 61....39-23 and 3 1/2 up on Milwaukee. It hasn't been a good year for the offense of the Chicago Cubs and with the key injury to Aramis Ramirez and the struggles of almost every position player on the field, it hasn't made for a high offensive output from the team who scored more runs than anyone in MLB last season. The Cubs are in the bottom five of the NL in batting average, runs scored, on-base percentage, and hits. I don't believe that you can totally blame the absence of Ramirez on their problems. Aramis' bat is much needed on the Cubs for sure but even when #16 returns to the lineup, it's not going to be a quick fix. The Cubs struggles cost Gerald Perry his job which I believe is just an outright disgrace when the guy with the same job on the south side of town hasn't produced exactly stellar numbers either but yet still is employed.

I think that the Cubs have no choice to be buyersbecause of the pressure on the organization to WIN NOW AT ALL COSTS. It's been over a century since a world championship and the fans will NOT settle for a team that with the third highest payroll in baseball to start selling off pieces of a team that last year won 97 games. Plus when you look at the roster....what can you sell. The Cubs locked up Soriano/Lee/Ramirez/Zambrano/Dempster/Lilly/Fukudome all with some sort of a no trade clause whether it be FULL or 10/5. Obviously with the disturbing lack of offense this season you would think the Cubs need to bolster the lineup, but who can the Cubs really trade?

Geovanny Soto?
Mike Fontenot?
Ryan Theriot?
Reed Johnson?
Anyone in the bullpen?

The Cubs aren't going to bench Milton Bradley or Geovanny Soto anytime soon and you have to play Fukudome...so you have to figure the only place they can improve the roster is up the middle in the infield. One rumor floating around is moving Alfonso Soriano to second base and going after another outfielder. To me moving Soriano to second is a sign of utter desperation and frankly is just outright dumb. Outfielders currently on the market include the likes of Matt Holiday (OAK) Jermaine Dye (CWS) Aubrey Huff (BAL) and Magglio Ordonez (DET).

The key to any team that is a serious contender for the World Series is a good bullpen and the Cubs need to bolster that as well. I just don't feel comfortablewith Heilman/Guzman/Marmol/Patton/Ascanio and throw in Sean Marshall as well. Kevin Gregg is not a lights out closer although he has pitched well of late and that may hurt the Cubs down the stretch.

Plus when you talk buy or sell you need to have available funds to do so if you're a buyer. Right now with the ownership of the organization up in the air with the Ricketts family and recently other investors getting back into the fold....could White Sox fan Sam Zell be the one holding the Cubs back from making a move for a pennant push?

The Cubs are and should be BUYERS, but who and can they spend money they may not have?


The White Sox are a completely different story. Currently 31-35 and 4 games back of Detroit when last year through the first 66 games....37-29 and 5 games up on Minnesota. I think we can all agree that the White Sox are in the worst division in MLB and quite possibly we won't know till the last week of the season who will rise from this garbage division. Kenny Williams made no attempt to improve this team this roster wise....he did however improve the organization by saving money trading Nick Swisher and Javier Vazquez. The White Soxcut around 25 million dollars in payroll and moved from fifth in payroll in 2008 to twelfth. The White Sox have stayed in the division by playing a combo of the "kids" with the "vets" which is something that almost never works in baseball. I don't expect it to work this year for Kenny Williams and the White Sox. With injuries (possibly season long) to Carlos Quentin (5th in AL MVP voting 2008) and their top pickup in the off season Bartolo Colon....it's not looking good.

I expect the White Sox to be sellersthis season because the White Sox need to look into the mirror and say this isn't 2005 all over again. Bringing in Scott Podsednik (who has played good after being dropped by the Rockies) and Freddy Garcia while bringing up your #1 pick Gordon Beckham and playing Chris Getz everyday doesn't equal a winner. The AL Central may be garbage but it's almost not worth winning because of the likes in the other divisions who are so much more put together than the White Sox. Talking about the Red Sox, Yankees and Angels.

The Soxwill be saving even more on payroll after the 2009 season with Jermaine Dye (1 million dollar buyout 2010)/Jose Contreras/Octavio Dotel/Jim Thome coming off the payroll. I think you can use Dye as a trade bait since he's having a decent year and start to build up your minors or bullpen. I understand the White Sox can't tell their fans that they need to rebuild because Sox fans do have a tendency to not show for ballgames. Sox fans I think know that it's time to start building something for next season and the years to follow but with the amount the White Sox are saving....could they be saving for some big free agent moves in the upcoming off season?

The White Sox have had an average payroll of 103.5 million dollars over the past 3 seasons and to think that the White Sox will go into the off seasonwith a payroll of under 70 million dollars and not buy just seems not right. Remember this is the same aggressive Kenny Williams that wanted to add Jake Peavy to the rotation and there were rumors of Roy Oswalt as well.



Overall both teams in town may not be playing their best this season but outlooks on both sides of town are completely opposite. I've always believed that what you do in the offseason shows what you'll be around the trade deadline. Normally when you're an aggressive team and buy in the off season....you're a buyer in July and vice-versa. So.....Cubs and Sox fans....are you buying or selling come July 31?

-RoCK

To all my friends and former colleuges at Webio.....much love and respect. I'm praying for you guys.


Don't miss the Joe O and Rock Show on Saturday night following the White Sox game.