The Chris Townsend Show

The Bottom Lineby Aaron James, posted on Fri, Jun. 8, 2007

So I was thinking about getting a dog and naming it Peeve so I could say I have a pet Peeve.

It would be one of many at this point because after taking a look at the sports landscape this week, many gruesome and downright violating things have gone down.

Starting with an unlikely candidate...

Luis Gonzalez, get off your ass and run hard! The Dodgers outfielder, assuming he had plenty of time to coast home in LA's 5-2 Wednesday night loss to the scorching hot San Diego Padres, instead cost his team a run. You can't really do that when you're trying to win a World Series. This, for Dodgers fans, is debatable considering how soft Dodger Blue has been in recent years.

You see, Gonzo pulled the most rookie of rookie blunders as the runner at third base was thrown out before Gonzo pulled up for home, martini glass and TV guide in hand. Embarrassing for a rookie, downright brutal for a veteran. Especially a guy who won the World Series with one swing of the bat. I guess it's no wonder why the Padres have owned their L.A. rivals the last decade or so.

Another pet peeve? Position players who can't hit a lick... Case in point. Jason Kendall. Catcher, Oakland A's.

Average? .190. As in interstate 90. Or if you'd want to quote manager Lou Brown from Major League.

"You may catch like Bench but you hit like a dried up turd!"

A little creative license there but you see my point.

Kendall has two extra base hits the whole year! I was talking with a guy in the stands at Tuesday's game against Boston and we came to the conclusion that we both thought we could get a couple of extra base knocks just by the grace of blind luck. Don't get me wrong now, Kendall handles a pitching staff with the grace of a ballet dancer at the Met but he hits like a spelling bee champion at an NFL combine.

Basically Kendall's weak stick has turned his team into a National League squad which makes the A's latest hot streak even more impressive. Amazing how the A's, despite all the injuries and young arms, seem to be back for their yearly summer tear through the American league west.

Another pet peeve of mine? Big leaguers admitting having shed tears. The Cubs zany ace Carlos Zambrano admitted to getting emotional after he and catcher Michael Barrett went Buddy Ryan and Kevin Gilbride on each other following one of the Cubs' million losses this season. I don't want to hear about crying in baseball. If these guys have issues, I suggest they call Dr. Phil and work it out there. You'd think Lou Piniella would be the one crying considering the stress he seems to be under. Lou? Do you need the aggravation? Don't you have enough money? Kicking bases and dirt on umpires seemed cool like 12 years ago, but now it looks moronic. No wonder the Cubs can't seem to win. They're playing tight and when you're tight, you can't relax and win ball games...

And speaking of winning ball games... Do the Cavs have a chance at winning one game this series?

I say no...

And now I'll say, till next week...