By George Solomon
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Talk about a photo to market baseball and the start of spring training: Commissioner Bud Selig and players' union chief Don Fehr, right arms raised, being sworn in to testify on Tuesday before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's hearing on steroid use in baseball.
For several hours, the two most powerful men in the sport told committee members they would do everything they could to rid the game of illegal drugs in response to the recommendations of the Mitchell report.
Also testifying was the author of that report, former Senate majority leader George J. Mitchell, whose document seemed to place personal trainer Brian McNamee in the role of a human jersey wall across the entrance of baseball's Hall of Fame.
Not to mention McNamee's most famous former client, Roger Clemens, whose promise to testify at the next Waxman-Davis Show, Feb. 13 (see StubHub), takes place two days before the start of spring training.
Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) proclaimed, according to George Vecsey of the New York Times, "Every fan who bought a ticket to see games for the past 20 years has been witness to a fraud -- and an industry promoted as honest that is in fact rooted in cheating for profit."
How's that for sending Selig and Fehr out of the building, perhaps wondering when baseball became the world doping punching bag and thinking how did this happen?
Issues for me, but maybe not to every fan.
"The business of baseball has not been negatively affected by hearings and news coverage of the [steroid] story," Nationals President Stan Kasten replied when asked in a telephone interview if the steroid/Clemens story will impact Washington's franchise. "We're consumed by a young, interesting team that is moving into an exciting new stadium."
Like always, as questions and doubt remain, the game survives and, incredibly, thrives.
A Rule Foolishly FollowedPlease don't tell me about rules regulating uniforms for high school track athletes. The Montgomery Invitational meet director, Tom Rogers, was just wrong to disqualify Theodore Roosevelt runner Juashaunna Kelly recently because she wore a uniform that adhered to her Muslim faith but not some high school federation stipulation -- a uniform Kelly had worn for several years without a problem.
Adults who supervise high school sports are expected to be smart and see the big picture. Rogers missed on both counts.
Fond Days in Green BayOld-school fans can jog their memories before tonight's NFC title game between the New York Giants and the Packers at Lambeau Field in very cold Green Bay, Wis.
By my (shaky) account, this is the fifth time the Packers have hosted an NFC or NFL title game in Green Bay (the '39 title game won by the Packers over the Giants was played in West Allis, Wis.). In the four title contests in Green Bay, the Packers beat the Giants, 37-0, in 1961; the Cleveland Browns, 23-12, in 1966; the Dallas Cowboys, 21-17, in the 1967 "Ice Bowl"; and the Carolina Panthers, 30-13, in 1997.
Two longtime friends were on the short end of two of those games. Hall of Fame linebacker Sam Huff was playing for the Giants in '61 and Frank Ryan quarterbacked the Browns in 1966.
"It was soooo cold that day," remembered Huff, now a Redskins broadcaster and businessman. "Who had gloves in those years? Not us. We weren't prepared for the weather, or Vince Lombardi's offense or his defense. Or their home-field advantage, which I still consider unfair.
"But I can't wait for the game. It's a reminder of what the NFL was -- and what made it so great. Lombardi would love it -- except when the Packers go leaping into the stands after they score a touchdown to be patted like a dog by their fans. Vince wouldn't like that at all."
¿ Am I the only one scratching his head at the Redskins' hiring process ("Assistants on Parade") to replace Joe Gibbs? Okay, I know about the Rooney Rule. Still . . .
Gregg Williams, defensive boss under Coach Joe for four years, reportedly has had four interviews with team owner Daniel Snyder, including one that supposedly lasted 10 hours. Williams has worked for Snyder for four years and he had to sit through four interviews, including a 10-hour marathon? I hope Williams got a Morton's steak out of that one. And did Jim Mora get frequent-flyer points for flying with Snyder during his interview?
When I hired Feinstein at The Post nearly 30 years ago, I told him after 20 minutes he had the job if he would just leave my office immediately. Just go.
Williams is The Favorite, of course, aware he has to win right away, or the owner will try to hire Bill Cowher in 2009, or someone else with equal star appeal.
¿ Tough break for the surging Caps, who lost center Michael Nylander for the season after rotator cuff surgery. Also disheartening was the recent spat between Coach Bruce Boudreau and goalie Olie Kolzig -- first reported by Post columnist Mike Wise. Kolzig was miffed by Boudreau giving him a quick hook last Sunday against Philly. Boudreau needs to make it right with the popular goalie.
¿ From afar, Coach Gary Williams has had his share of big wins (six) over No. 1 teams in his career at Maryland, but yesterday's 82-80 stunner over previously undefeated (18-1) and top-ranked North Carolina in Chapel Hill might have been his best. No one gave the underdog Terrapins (12-7) an outside chance in this one, but that seems to be when Williams's teams play their best. Also impressed with the Wizards' recent sweep of the Boston Celtics and Maryland women whipping Duke before a huge crowd at Comcast Center.
Charlie in ChargeCharlie Brotman, who has been promoting, publicizing and working the P.A. for sports in Washington for 57 years, gets feted Tuesday night in celebration of his 80th birthday. Since I can't be at Brasserie Les Halles, I asked Brotman some questions about his career.
Favorite athlete? "Sugar Ray Leonard and Harmon Killebrew."
Favorite team? "Washington Senators."
Favorite moment? "Many, with Sugar Ray."
Pro soccer teams publicized no longer in business: "Darts, Whips, Dips, Team America."
Favorite tennis players in four decades of promoting pro tennis?"Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert."
Favorite presidents he'd introduced at ballgames and 11 inaugurations? "Kennedy, Reagan, Nixon."
Biggest PR disasters: "Promoting a tennis match and flag football game between former Redskins and Cowboys. Washington Federals [USFL] didn't do that well, either."
Remaining goal? "Do something at Opening Day of Nationals Park, completing a run that included Griffith Stadium and RFK Stadium."
Have a comment or question? Reach me attalkback@washpost.com.
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