Could a Summer of Promise Wind Up in a Fall of Disappointment For LA?

While watching Michael Phelps win gold and inspiring me to get over my fear of public pools……

….usually on Planet Ryder everything is always bright and optimistic, especially after all of the potential greatness that has occurred in the City of Angels these past few months with the arrival of Manny and Tex.  However, recent events have caused my ever-lovin’ smile to be turned upside down.

I was going to do a top 10 lists about why such a wonderful summer of LA sports could turn into a fall of epic disappointment (mainly because the late George Carlin stated that 10 is such a well rounded number) but I got too depressed after number 8.  If you find the other two, feel free to drop them off.

8. Galaxy front office nightmare – So this is what $250 million (allegedly), a bad reality TV show, and a few commercials get you these days?  The result is a fourth-place record, an 8-game winless streak, and a front office wipeout of Steinbrenner-like proportions.  Now word comes that Bruce Arena, former coach of DC United and the US National Soccer team, will come over to end the Cobi Jones reign.  Someone might want to begin playing taps for this season.

7. Clippers sign Jason “never met a turnover I didn’t like” Williams and Ricky “did they ever give me credit for that triple double” Davis.  Ok, I understand that the Clips were jilted after Elton Brand took the money and ran for the land of cheese steaks, but this isn’t exactly the way to get over the breakup.  Fleecing the Nuggets for Marcus Camby is one thing, but now between Baron Davis jacking up all the shots and Williams throwing the ball into the stands, Mike Dunleavy has to wonder if any of his other players will ever see the ball again.

6. Kobe to say arrivederci to the US for $50 mil in Italy?  Look, I know that he was simply playing up to the international press in Beijing, but we have to wonder if he was somewhat serious about bolting for linguini and games against Olympiakos? Fresh off his first MVP season and quieting critics leading LA to the Finals, this is not the sort of news we need to hear from Kobe, half-joking or not.

5. Haircut-mania continues to sweep Dodger nation, as Papa Joe Torre has laid down the law to Manny Ramirez, although he continues to rip the ball.  The famed dreadlocks will probably be waved bye-bye by the time this column reaches print, but will that affect Manny’s relationship with the already-fragile clubhouse?  We’ve already seen him almost take off for the 9^th inning against the Phillies earlier this week, and the last thing this team needs is him to go AWOL while fighting the .500 mark and for the NL West title because….

4. Adam Dunn gets traded to Arizona.  Although Dunn’s propensity for strikeouts will provide enough wind to cool down the Arizona climate, he does provide just enough pop in his bat to help out their awesome pitching combo of Dan Haren and Brandon Webb.  Add to the fact that Brad Penny is once again on the DL and everyone may become truly blue in Chavez Ravine.

3. Speaking of LA’s other team, the Angels just lost Maicer Izturis for the remainder of the season due to thumb surgery.  Now I know what you’re thinking, “They’re up by 14 games and have the best record in baseball!  What’s the big deal?”  All I have to say is two words:  Gary Discarcina. 

In 1995 the Angels had an 11.5-game lead in the AL West in August when Gary went down on August 3.  Then the Angels suffered a collapse of Biblical-proportions.  Although I don’t see the same thing happening here, the fact is that he does provide solid defense, and in October you need that to go along with strong pitching….

2. Speaking of pitching, the Boston Red Sox just made life a little bit more uncomfortable for the Angels with the acquisition of Paul Byrd from Cleveland.  He’s 4-0 with a 1.24 ERA since the All-Star Break.  Why all the fuss?  Boston could be LA’s first-round opponent, and a staff of Josh Beckett, Dice-K, and Byrd could make a best 3-of-5 very challenging for the Angels should the World Champs become the wild card winner.

1. Mark Sanchez, owner of the world’s most famous kneecap. It is still undetermined whether or not he’ll be ready for the August 30 opener against Virginia, but if he’s not then we’ll have to settle for Mitch Mustain.  Based on a recent scrimmage where the USC offense could only muster one first down and what Coach Pete Carroll described as “sluggish”, that kneecap better find the right location in a hurry.