General

Shanoff’s W.U.C.: A-Rod’s ‘Sorry’ Enough

Feb 10, 2009, 1:11 PM UTC

Today’s Calls: A-Rod vs. Apologies, Kansas vs. Mizzou, Big Ben vs. Big Al, Tiger Woods vs. Tiger Woods, LT vs. Shawn Johnson and More.â†µâ†µThe Opening Pitch: The two most powerful words in sports? “I’m sorry.”â†µ

â†µâ†µYou can believe A-Rod’s apology was sincere or faked -- given A-Rod’s synthetic personality, I defy you to know definitively one way or the other -- but it instantly defused all the pent-up hostility from Monday’s media hysterics.â†µ

â†µâ†µIt may remain to be seen that A-Rod is too big of a star -- too disliked of a star -- for even the classic “sorry” strategy to work. But fans have shown a remarkable resiliency when it comes to forgiving offending athletes who show even the most basic forms of contrition – and unrelenting negativity toward athletes who don’t. That’s why we still loathe Mark McGwire.â†µ

â†µâ†µSports scandal management is pretty simple: Apologize, quickly. (In an ideal world, A-Rod would donate a healthy portion of his latest mega-millions contract to educating kids about the dangers of steroid abuse. What an easy and effective step for him that would be.)â†µ

â†µâ†µThe question is now: Do you accept A-Rod’s apology?â†µ

â†µâ†µI will say this: For most fans, the issue isn’t whether to accept or not to accept his apology; the issue is that an apology was offered at all.â†µ

â†µâ†µThe bigger question is whether the mainstream “Henny Penny” punditry accepts his apology (hint: they won’t), thus allowing fans to move on to the business of -- y’know -- getting ready for the baseball season without having the story line continue to be dominated by A-Rod.â†µ

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â†µThe most surprising backlash from the A-Rod story? Not the "release the other 103 positive tests!" brigade (led by Curt Schilling), but the sensible folks who wondered why the tests weren't (a) anonymous or (b) instantly destroyed in 2003, after they fulfilled their purpose? The players' union was utterly negligent in not ensuring that this happened; in any other context, the union leadership would be fired -- in baseball, don't hold your breath.â†µ

â†µâ†µCBB Mania: Mizzou is for real. In case the win at Texas didn’t convince you (and given UT’s recent woes, that’s fair), the Tigers’ win over Kansas was a bigger “prove-it,” remarkable for two reasons: (1) MU came back from being down 14 at the half after scoring only 16 points, and (2) they had lost 5 straight to KU. The Big 12’s 2nd-best team? Mizzou.â†µ

â†µâ†µTonight: In the Big East marquee game, overrated Marquette is going to get drilled at Villanova, where the Wildcats are unstoppable. ... Plus: Florida at Kentucky in the SEC’s top hoops rivalry. (Look: I know the SEC is down, but SOMEONE has to emerge as the league’s best, right?)â†µ

â†µâ†µNBA Instant History: Al Jefferson adds injury to insult. First, Jefferson -- arguably the top young post player in the West -- was left off the West All-Star roster. Now, his season is over, after an ACL tear. It’s a shame: Jefferson was having a dominant season for the recently surging T’wolves.â†µ

â†µâ†µ(Maybe the T’wolves can learn something from the Sixers: Who needs Elton Brand?)â†µ

â†µâ†µNFL: Biggest non-story of the year? That Big Ben played the Super Bowl with a couple of fractured ribs. If the Steelers had lost? Maybe this would be interesting. But they didn’t, and Roethlisberger was one of the heroes. Are we supposed to be even more impressed he did it while banged up?â†µ

â†µâ†µCowboys release Pacman: Is there anyone who didn’t see this coming when Dallas signed Jones last year? Note how there is no punishment in the front office for such a bone-headed move. (Next question: Which team falls for him next? Oakland has to be the odds-on favorite, right?)â†µ

â†µâ†µMust-Read: Florio’s 10-Pack.â†µ

â†µâ†µCFB: Lane Kiffin recruiting violations? You don’t say!â†µ

â†µâ†µWestminster Dog Show: Tiger Woods wins! Is there any chance of a trademark-infringement lawsuit if the Hound group-winner “Tiger Woods” wins Best in Show tonight? Regardless, sports fans now have a clear rooting interest.â†µ

â†µâ†µOther group winners competing tonight for B-i-S: “Yes” (poodle) and “Sadie” (terrier) -- and you “Best In Show” fans know what they say about terriers. Where are Gerry and Cookie Fleck?â†µ

â†µâ†µ(Did PETA protesters really dress up like the KKK outside the show? There is publicity and then there is stupidity.)â†µ

â†µâ†µCelebrity Baby Watch: Speaking of Tiger, we finally got a name for his new baby boy -- Charlie Axel. (Here’s the thing: There isn’t a name -- amazing or awkward -- that wouldn’t sound cool when coming in front of “Woods” when your dad is Tiger Woods.)â†µ

â†µâ†µPop Culture: LT on DWTS. Athletes have no run of dominance like their dynasty on “Dancing With The Stars,” and each new season’s contestants are notable for which athletes will be participating. I suspect the run is over: Lawrence Taylor is the obligatory ex-NFL player, and he’s no Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice or even Warren Sapp. (Gymnast Shawn Johnson could be a contender.)â†µ

â†µâ†µName to Know: Bar Refaeli.â†µ

â†µâ†µThe Last Word: “I think it’s depressing news on top of what’s been a flurry of depressing items when it comes to Major League Baseball.” -- President Barack Obama during his primetime press conference last night, when asked about the A-Rod scandal.â†µ

â†µâ†µ“And if you’re a fan of Major League Baseball, I think it tarnishes an entire era, to some degree. And it’s unfortunate, because I think there are a lot of ballplayers who played it straight.”â†µ

â†µâ†µ“What I’m pleased about is Major League Baseball seems to finally be taking this seriously, to recognize how big a problem this is for the sport, and that our kids hopefully are watching and saying, ‘You know what? There are no short cuts, that when you try to take short cuts, you may end up tarnishing your entire career, and that your integrity’s not worth it.’”â†µ

â†µâ†µMore must-see quotes here.â†µ

â†µâ†µDan Shanoff writes The Wake-Up Call every weekday morning for SportingNews.com and blogs daily at DanShanoff.com. Got any comments, questions or feedback? E-mail Dan at shanofftsn-[at]-gmail-[dot]-com. â†µ

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