Politics

Note: the following appears in the October 25th edition of The Heights


During Boston College's dream run to a No. 2 national ranking in the BCS and AP Polls, there have been three things we have all come to love and expect with star quarterback Matt Ryan.

First, his incredible ability to hit receivers in stride with laser-like spiral passes that make you turn your head and say, "Are you serious?"

Second, the announcers' insistence on calling him ridiculous "Matty (insert motivational word here)" nicknames on air, as if simply saying "Matt Ryan" would cause the earth to cease its rotation around the sun.

And third, the predicable press conferences and television shows - like after the Notre Dame game or on Jim Rome's show on Oct. 19 - where he is asked the same questions and gives the same responses.

I admit that, even as a journalist who prides himself on asking thought-provoking questions, I was lulled into the routine by the political machine that is Matt Ryan. I couldn't help it, his awe-inspiring presence and my excitement to meet him almost caused the interview to be cancelled.

"How big is this game against Virginia Tech?" I asked.

"It is the biggest game of the season because it is the next game," he said, like the seasoned veteran that he is.

This was just par for the course of a Heisman candidate these days, and the predicable responses have become eerily similar to those of certain Super Bowl winners and PGA champions. All these people have become political beasts able to dodge questions with the skill of Bill Clinton.

Anybody in New England who follows professional football knows of Bill Belichick and his famous "we have some things we need to improve for next week" post-game rants. No looking back, no looking ahead, all eyes on the next game, the next play, the next practice, etc.

And of course there is Tiger Woods, who is well known for his monotonous response before every tournament: "There is a great field this week. Hopefully I can make a few putts. I like my chances."

The most revered icons in sports seem to have the talent of leaving the talking to the scoreboard, and here on the Heights, the quarterback is no different than the best of those who talk with action, not words.

Even as he looks toward the biggest game in recent memory for the Eagles, he answers questions with the deftness like the best of Belichick's responses.

"I am really excited to go down there, it should be a great opportunity," Senator Ryan said. "They have a great environment, and we know it is going to be rowdy and tough with the crowd, but we have experience in those settings."

In this day in age where sports media is available 24/7/365, it is easy to understand why responses have become automatic for our athletes and coaches, who are conditioned like Pavlov's dogs.

With BC's improbable run to the top of the polls in the last few weeks, Ryan has been conditioned for the predicable interview in the week and a half break before facing the Hokies.

"I did Fox Sports Net New York. I did Comcast Sports Network Philadephia, which, by the way, was one of my favorite ones to do," he said. "I was on the radio, 950 AM in Philadelphia, I was on the radio in Houston. I talked to a guy from the LA Times, I talked to Jim Rome is Burning - I did that the other day. I forgot about that one."

With all the attention given to him recently, Ryan has been able to show class by constantly lauding his teammate's efforts and praising each of their Heisman candidacies as equal to his. "I've got a couple go-to lines," he admitted sheepishly.

While it might seem as though Ryan is bored with the repetitive interview, like all great politicians, he deflects any notions that his question-and-answer sessions are worthless.

"I'm happy to promote Boston College as much as I can because it is a place that not only has given me great things on the football field but a degree from Boston College is one of the things I'm most proud of. I feel very, very fortunate to have been here for as long as I have and the opportunity this place has given me."

Well said, Matt.

A Day With Dusty

The World Series begins in an hour and a half. And I'm anxious/nervous/scared/any other unsettling adjective. To calm me down, here's a recap of my recent day with Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia aka the l'il guy. With apologies to "Dougie's Goin' Deep Tonight"

6:34 am: Wake up with Dusty and enjoy a bowl of Coco Puffs while watching Rocky and Bullwinkle.
7:21 am: Mrs. Pedroia sets out Dusty's clothes for a big day of school. Dusty's outfit: Yellow Pokemon shirt, Ninja Turtles tighty-whities, and a pair of Oshkosh overalls.
7:39 am: Hop on the bus to school with Dusty. The bus driver Clementine says good morning and gives Dusty his morning lollipop per his contract.
8:21 am: Dusty decides today is the day he conquers "Green Eggs and Ham" saying that the only reason he isn't on the same reading level as everyone else is because everyone knows shorter people don't learn to read as fast.
9:32 am: Snack time. Dusty ducks into the little boys room and packs a lip of Skoal Citrus. Proclaims, "This is the only snack for meeee."
10:03 am: Morning recess. Dusty kicks three home-runs in kickball, even while falling on his ass every time from trying to kick out of his velcro'ed Red Sox sneakers, size 6. Still pimps every homer and manages to talk to every girl on the jungle gym before recess ends.
10:23 am: Supposed to be time for math. Dusty doesn't participate. Says the teacher is disrespecting him and she "doesn't know shit."
10:35 am: After trying and getting a math problem wrong, Dusty claims, "I wasn't wrong, the problem just got lucky."
11:26 am: Dip number two.
11:45 am: Lunch/Recess. After engulfing two ham sandwiches and a Pabst Blue Ribbon he stole from his dad before school, Dusty hits the playground again. Three more kickball homers and little Suzy's phone number later, Dusty's had enough.
12:56 pm: Naptime. Dusty disciplined by teacher for sharing a mat with said Suzy. "Dont hate the player, hate the game." is all Dusty can say.
1:48 pm: Dusty makes a replica Phiten camoflauge necklace out of macaroni.
2:12 pm: Dip three.
2:29 pm: Dusty shares back seat of bus with Suzy. Suzy shuts him down when she notices that the lil guy has a receding hairline. Already.
3:18 pm: Mrs. Pedroia prepares a plate of ants on a log for Dusty. Dusty eats the raisins and peanut butter, then throws the celery back at Mrs. Pedroia. Says he'll never be taller than 5'2" by eating celery.
4:29 pm: Dusty takes some vicious cuts off the Fisher-Price tee in the backyard. Hits three balls off neighbors house. When they yell at him Dusty simply says "Shove it" and heads inside.
4:48 pm: Dusty shows up for extra batting practice at Fenway. Says "When you're this small, you have to work extra hard."
6:34 pm: Dip four.
7:05 pm: Dusty goes three-for-four, with a game-saving stop in the ninth inning.
10:21 pm: Coach Francona brings Dusty to Friendly's for a Happy-Ending sundae. Tito drops Dusty off at home.
10:35 pm: Dusty brushes his teeth, takes his vitamins, and says his prayers before Mrs. Pedroia tucks him for the night.
11:32 pm: Dusty dreams of a World Series win and a Rookie of the Year trophy.

Sox in six.
-MC

"Don't let us win tomorrow..."

Sometimes, there's no need for words. That about says it all...

Don't Let the Door Hit Ya, Where the Good Lord Split Ya

Buster Olney wrote a book a few years back called "The Last Night of the Yankees Dynasty." In that book, Olney said that Game 7 of the 2001 World Series was the night the Yankees dynasty of the 90s and early 21st century died. Last night, the Yankees as we know them died. The Yankees were ousted by the Cleveland Indians, their third division series loss in as many years. As was the case in the past, the Yankees were outplayed in every facet of the game.

The bigger aspect of the story is that Joe Torre is probably going to lose his job because of it. Is this rational thinking on George Steinbrenner's part? I think it could be. It's time for Torre to go. Joe Torre, whom I think is a tad overrated, is still a great manager by most standards. However, I think that what this team needs more than anything is change. It's obvious the "old way" of doing business in New York is changing. There have been signs of this in the past year or two with the way general manager Brian Cashman is handling the farm system. In the past year or so we've seen the likes of Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera, Philip Hughes, Edwar Ramirez, and Joba "the Hut" Chamberlain, all homegrown talent, make big impacts for the Yankees. Those players right there make up a better young nucleus than at least 75% of baseball. There is a youth movement in the Bronx, and I really don't think Joe Torre is the right man for that job. Reports are that the Yanks are hot on Tony LaRussa for Torre's replacement, but I feel the job should be offered to Joe Girardi. Girardi's a Yankee guy who led a Marlins team in 2006 that was nothing more than a "AAAA" team to a very respectable 78-84 record. His work even earned him Manager of the Year honors in the NL. With his history within the Yankees organization and an already creditable history in dealing with young players makes him the perfect fit. Doesn't it?

Not only are the Yankees going to have someone new at the helm next year, there's going to be some bigitme shake-ups on the field too. And it's going to be a chain reaction. Let me start by saying I'd be shocked if Alex Rodriguez doesn't opt out of his contract. For starters, his agent is $cott Bora$. As his agent, he wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't tell A-Rod to opt out. Instead of making $25-27 million he's slated to make, he could make $35-37 million after year he had this year. My instinct tells me he's not only going to opt out, but he'll sign elsewhere too. Next, Jorge Posada's contract is up after this year. He's a Torre guy, and he had a huge year this year. Why wouldn't he test the free agent waters and maybe look for greener pastures. If he goes, this might open up the door for Mariano Rivera to walk as well. Mo's contract is also done. With all the shake-up he might feel that there's just too much change and less chance to win in New York right away (he is getting old) than somewhere else. Roger Clemens' absurd contract is technically up too (money well spent, eh?). He's going to retire most likely. Again. For now. If he goes, you can say good-bye to Andy Pettite, because those two are connected at the hip.

The Yankees are in a good position to be good very fast even with all the change though. They are in the position that the Red Sox have mastered already. They have great young players like the ones I mentioned, plus the money to sign any free agent they want. So the future isn't terrible for the Yankees. But you can put your money on the Yankees looking very different, very soon.

-MC

SEE-YA!!!

2007 American League East Champions

Out On a Limb

This man has taken a lot of slack this year. Most of the slack this man has taken has been deserved. And I have a feeling, I don't know why, that this man is going to be a huge part of the Red Sox playoff run. Or I hope at least. This man is JD Drew.