This is why you never trust ESPN!

Hello readers,
The reason that I am so jolly today isn't because Yankees signed Russel Martin because he sucks. It isn't because I hit 300 pageviews (but that is awesome thanks for the love!) but rather because I can say I TOLD YOU SO! And not the Bill Simmons version where you make 20 calls and get one right then brag about it. I am 1-1 on this issue and looking forward to more in the future.

If you are reader of previous posts, of course you know I am referring to the Lebron James of baseball, Cliff Lee. After meaningless reports and articles about HYPOTHETICALS (that comes up alot now these days) of what the Yankees would look like with Lee and Sabathia versus Bostons improved lineup or the lunches that Nolan Ryan had with Lee discussing his return, we learn Lee said F U to both and went to philly.

Read ESPN Article on "shocking" return of Cliff Lee here

Now Boston fans will instantly claim the division in December as usual and other media outlets will say its because those fans spit on Lee's wife last year. But are you going to trust the same reporters who told you Crawford was going to Anaheim and Lee was going to the Yankees or Rangers? I never did and still won't! The reason can't be because fans spit on Lee because philly is known as the most ruthless city in sports (Cleveland would be here had they actually taken lessons from phily fans on how to be properly ruthless...Lebron came into Quickens smiling and left even happier). The reason this surprise signing with the Phillies happened is coming up and its going to blow your minds.

CLIFF LEE WENT TO THE PHILLIES BECAUSE THATS WHERE HE WANTS TO GO! Holy crap I just busted the story wide open. Wait how could it be? The Yankees were so close and so were the Rangers and they offered crazy money and a month ago Cashman had dinner with him in Arkansas? Here is why sports fans.

Had the news broken normally like I always beg ESPN for, this would have been "Lee talking to some teams but hasn't said where he wants to go yet" for the last month. Tell me skeptical reader, has Lee ONCE spoken to the media himself and said he loves NY or Texas??? No, then why the hell are we surprised he chose philly. He was there already and had great success with a great hitting lineup. They couldn't afford him so traded him to Seattle. But he made friends there and for some reason, between the Yankees ego of thinking they can sign everyone they want in the offseason to Nolan Ryan and Ron Washington telling people they think Lee is coming back, we lost sight of the true facts. This happens way too much in the media now (see previous post about Tarvaris Jackson coverage) and needs to stop.

The media is to blame for Lee not coming to NY- Not Cashman, Steinbrenners, Rangers, Jeters contract dealings...the media. Why? Because they made a story out of nothing and made everyones hopes go up (sound familiar, I wrote this last week) and made Lee sound like he "spurned" the Yankees. He didn't! He used their aggressive contract to get more from the other teams he actually wanted to go to! And if you are shocked, whos fault is that? ESPNs fault thats who. If they had insiders then they would know Philly had an interest and that Lee wasn't sold on Texas or NY. But they didnt as thats because there is no such thing as an insider, just someone whos job is to cover sports.

I am not going to compare this to Lebron because I know the responses already. Lebron was Jesus to Cleveland and homegrown and promised championship and other bullcrap. Fine! But its like Lebron because everyone thought it was going to be Cleveland, NY or Chicago for Lebron but he chose Miami out of nowhere. Now the Phillies did the same thing telling Lee he can pitch with the 2 Roys and Hamels and rip up the league, kinda like the Heat. Instead of being upset at the Yankees and Lee, fans should be upset at the media. Stop swinging stories to build up viewer interest and start giving facts. Enough wild speculation stories that mean nothing!

Heres a non-sport example of ESPN reporting: Minka Kelly may dump Jeter because Brad Pitt showed interest in her. Angelina Jolie would end up with A-Rod if this were to happen and we'll keep you posted on this amazing story. Yes its an amazing story but what about in 2 weeks when Kelly says I love Jeter and wouldnt leave him for anyone and Pitt says he doesn't even know who she is. Does anyone say "Who the hell reported this story?" NO! We do what we are doing now- say WOW I CANT BELIEVE SHE ALMOST LEFT HIM! How freakin stupid is America??? (Ed. Note: Never bad to create opportunity to add a picture of Minka Kelly)

I am not shocked...I am not buying this crap. I am simply waiting for the FA Tracker on mlb.com to update and tell me who signed where and that is all I need to know. This isnt Hollywood or people magazine, its sports! The mainstream of fans are men and we dont care for drama and crap and who A-Rod is dating. We care about which 6"4 225 pound super male is going to be batting in the cleanup spot and how much beer will cost at the games. Its the pansies and ESPN that are trying to convince you that you care about stupid lunches with players so they get more viewers on TV.

Quickly to give serious input on 5 year deal for Lee, I honestly don't get how nobody is thinking a 32 year old who got hit hard on by the Giants offense on the biggest stage has NO risks while getting a 5 year deal. Jamie Moyer throws 40 MPH so hes okay to throw till 100 but Lee needs his fastball to setup the changeup and hit his spots and if he starts feeling the effects of age, I can't imagine what that would do to his productivity. I am not saying he isn't a dominant pitcher now, but just something to think about with the Kevin Browns of the world nodding their head like "Hmm Mmm, know what you mean" Screw you Kevin Brown, i wish Madoff stole the millions from you since you stole it from NY! (Sorry never got to truly vent about that jerkoff)