Sports

Commentary

The Buzz

Compiled from staff and wire reports
Published December 25, 2005

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THUMBS UP

Johnny Damon. After leaving the Red Sox for the Yankees last week, Damon admitted it was largely because of the money. Give the guy credit for being honest. Like he said, he might be an idiot, but he's not stupid.

THUMBS DOWN

The Red Sox Nation. Some of them now are referring to their former star as Judas Damon. Folks, get a life. The guy owes you nothing. He played hard, helped you win a championship and is moving on. To those moaning and groaning: Deal with it and feel free to move out of your parents' house any time.

WEEKLY MEMO

To Falcons quarterback Michael Vick: Dude, I'm not saying your stock has dropped, but I just saw where No.7 Atlanta jerseys are selling on eBay for the same amount as the New Kids on the Block greatest hits CD.

VOICES CARRY

Our government has decreed that although Cuba can compete on U.S. soil in the Olympics, World Cup and other international sports tournaments, we won't let it play in the inaugural World Baseball Classic. Some Americans simply cannot accept that somewhere, somehow Cuba might make a couple lousy Yankee dollars.

I am not one who subscribes to the fantasy that simply by playing games among countries, all politics fade, that sports automatically produce peace, love and brotherhood. But international sports usually have some benefits. And sometimes it really does demonstratively work for good. Remember the initial pingpong diplomacy with communist China? And by all but forcing his way into South Africa's tennis open, Arthur Ashe cracked the apartheid curtain, which never could be fully closed again.

But in a declaration that is petty and heavy-handed, the Treasury Department has said it must apply the same policy that hasn't worked for almost half a century and refuse to allow Cuba to play against the other baseball nations. In a way, this is more distasteful than when those anti-Semitic countries refuse to play Israel. At least those nations have the strength of their convictions sufficient to take themselves out of the games. We're just being a bully. No, it's our bat and our ball, and you can't play.

- FRANK DEFORD, SI.com

FAKE HEADLINE OF THE WEEK

Pacifist linebacker dodges NFL draft

- The Onion

FINAL THOUGHTS

How few points does a guy's team have to score before people stop calling him an offensive genius? Just askin'.

Compiled by Times staff writer Keith Niebuhr.

[Last modified December 24, 2005, 23:43:13]

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