Friday Fryer (August 24, 2007)
by Christof
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A look at the sports week's biggest losers…
by Christof
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Welcome to a late Friday night edition of the Friday Fryer, where we take a look at who was the sports world's biggest idiot this week. Tomorrow is suppose to be one of the hottest days of the year. But this comes from weather folk. Really, those clowns deserve there own Chair. Maybe during a slow week, they will get it! This week, however, was hot hot hot in regards to nominations. So without further ado, let’s go take a look at our three finalists and, of course, the person or team who is being dipped into the Fryer....
THE FINALISTS
| Philadelphia Phillies
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| The death rattle is in full force in regards to the Phillies playoff chances in 2007. This week, the Phillies began a 10-game home stand against the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and New York Mets. By the end of Tuesday, the Phillies were tied for the Wild Card lead with the Padres. Then, the wheels exploded.
First, it was announced that the Phillies ace, Cole Hamels, would miss a start because of an inflamed elbow. He has since been put on the 15 day DL. Second, the Phillies lost the 3 game series to the Dodgers. Third, the Phillies were blown out by the Padres tonight. The Phillies are now three games behind the Padres in the Wild Card race. You can also forget the divisional crown.
The Phillies became the first professional sports franchise to lose 10,000 games this year. The Phillies are also one of the handful of teams that have never made it to the playoffs since the Wild Card was added, back in 1994. Guess what? The Phils will be able to continue that infamous streak on into 2008. At least the Phillies efforts get them a Friday Fryer Chair nomination this week. And just like last time, it wasn’t enough to win it.
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| Baltimore Orioles
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| The O’s made some history this week versus the Texas Rangers. The O’s, in the first game of a double header, surrendered 30 runs to the Rangers. Yes, you read that right. The O’s gave up 30 runs in a single game.
Giving up 30 runs in a single game does not occur very often. Actually, it has been over a century since the last time such a rout occurred. Hopefully, it will be more than a century until the next pathetic pitching staff gives up 30 runs in the game.
How on earth does a club give up 30 runs in a single game? At least in the nightcap, the O’s gave up only 9 runs. So in two games in a single day, the O’s gave up 39 runs. Oh my, that was ugly. Ugly enough to get the O’s a Friday Fryer nomination.
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| Michael Vick
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| Vick finally pled guilty for his actions in regards to dog fighting. His guilty plead is written in such a way that he does not indicate admission from Vick on whether he gambled on the dog fights, or killed any dogs. He did say that his actions did help cause the death of at least 6 dogs.
This guilty plea will likely result in a prison sentence of at least 1 year for Vick. I hope Vick can dance away from the sisters like he danced away from defensive linemen in the NFL. Speaking of the NFL, the league also handed down judgment on Vick today. The NFL has suspended Vick indefinitely.
More than likely, today ends the NFL career of Michael Vick. From a physical standpoint, no one ever had more ability to play quarterback. Unfortunately, from the neck up, Vick lacked a lot. So much potential has been wasted, likely forever. For this Vick, you can a Friday Fryer nomination.
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AND THE LOSER IS . . .
| Eddie Griffin
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| Like Michael Vick, Eddie Griffin had a world of talent. His ballyard was not the gridiron, but a basketball court. But like Vick, Griffin did not have his head on right.
Griffin was born and raised in Philadelphia. By the time he was a senior at Roman Catholic High School, he had nearly developed NBA level basketball ability. Unfortunately, Griffin had emotional demons, and this made Griffin a angry young man.
The first signs of trouble showed up during Griffin’s senior year at Roman. During the year, Griffin was involved in a major fight with a fellow teammate. This led him being suspended from school for the remainder of his senior year. Nevertheless, Griffin still earned a scholarship to Seton Hall.
Griffin lasted only one year at Seton Hall. Once again, Griffin was involved in a fight with a teammate. During this year, Griffin also began have problems with alcohol. Nonetheless, Griffin declared himself for the NBA Draft and was a first round selection.
The demons that have been tormenting Griffin only became worse during his days in the NBA. Alcohol and drugs and mental illness caused Griffin to float from team to team. He was released from his last team, the T-Wolves, during last season. However, Griffin was still only 25 years old.
The sad fact is that Griffin will never see his 26th birthday. Last Friday, Griffin drove his car into a train. He was killed instantly. The damage to his body was so severe that it took till mid-week before Griffin was properly identified. Therein ends the life of Eddie Griffin. He was a man blessed with basketball talent, but was finally conquered by demons he could not eliminate. A waste of talent. A waste of life. And nothing can be done now to change it.
Until next Friday, AMF!
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