Diego Maradona will no longer coach the Argentine National Football team after receiving no assurances his coaching staff will return with him. What does this mean for Argentina’s national team?

Oh, we all know what happened.

The Cincinnati Bengals signed wide receiver Terrell Owens to team-up with Chad OchoCinco. But with the team also having Jordan Shipley and Antonio Bryant, could we saw an all-out passing attack in Cincy?

I think so.

Cedric Benson’s arrest is going to affect him and the team can’t trust Bernard Scott to always succeed carrying the load. With this, I see Cincinnati passing a lot more coming into the 2010-11 season.

And it’s good. The team is filled with good receivers.

Chad OchoCinco has always been pretty good and I see another good year coming in for the ten-year veteran. For Terrell Owens, who is entering his 14th season, he is also going to do well. People underestimate him due to his age of 36. Well, if Marvin Harrison can succeed at such an old age, there’s no doubt Owens will dominate.

Antonio Bryant is going to be needed, who is going to most likely play the slot position. Although the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ receiver was originally going to play on the opposite side of OchoCinco, he will now play slot. But I still think he can be happy at what role he’ll play in.

Jordan Shipley is the most interesting of this group. Shipley had a lot of success with the Texas Longhorns and looks to be apply that same success in Cincinnati. Shipley looks to come in at certain times but he will have a much larger role in 2011. But Shipley is going to have his shining moments this season.

Carson Palmer looks to be the happiest out of the bunch, with so many great receivers. Many think he will have a bit of a nightmare as well with the characters of OchoCinco and Ochouno.

I don’t think so.

Both guys are past their prime and now want to win. Right now, I think statistics aren’t going to play a huge factor because these two are already going to be Hall-of-Famers anyways, so they don’t need to worry about that. It’s like the Miami Heat of the NBA: right now, they are just focused on winning.

OchoCinco even made the statement himself. He said he wants to win a ring in Cincinnati and then go to the NBA and play as a contributor for the Heat and win another ring there. Although it was a bit humorous, you can tell he wants to win. He is determined and for this season, he will have to take the ego out of the equation.

I have the Bengals winning the AFC North. If you don’t tend to notice, this team has a very underrated defense and is going to rock the house coming into 2010. Sadly, the Baltimore Ravens may have to wait one more year to win the North now. This signing changes a lot of things.

Here we go Cincy!

The latest reality show called T.O. Drama hijacks the airwaves in Cincinnati, beyond all the possible circumstances of dividing as a bonding core and plunging mightily at the earliest of September, becoming the epicenter of arguably the biggest tragicomedy in sports.

It’s a risky combination and the most perilous experiment in football, assembling together diva-like receivers with cancerous symptoms of dismantling a franchise’s morale and chemistry. As the most despised NFL star, Terrell Owens is the most controversial receiver with an egomaniacal behavior, demanding the football and crying when he’s not getting enough touches.

It’s baffling that the Cincinnati Bengals are getting the popcorn ready, to witness the most dangerous reality show, to witness a temperamental receiver cause confrontation and isolate a franchise with his self-centered attitude. In the meantime, Owens and Chad Ochocinco’s relationship is unconditional love, of course, as neither has played their first game together, but are evidently close friends and have an amiable bond.

At some point, realizing that Terrible Owens is a curiosity in football either when he’s unemployed or emerging as the famous nuisance on reality shows, we can revisit the previous teams that corroded because of Owens’ dysfunction and development as a saboteur. It’s a marriage of controversy, a relationship expected to weaken early in the regular season as mood swings and infighting chaos are looming ever so quickly.

For all the abuse San Francisco, Philadelphia, Dallas, and somewhat Buffalo took, fans in any other town than Cincinnati are laughing at the clowns of the league for gambling on a dangerous and worthless S.O.B. Once, he was allowed numerous chances to enrich a miserable psyche and polish as the most talented wideout, gifted at running routes and physically bringing in an astonishing catch, but he’s a declining receiver with the knack to launch reality shows on VH1 and be represented as a celebrity bust, rather than a football bust.

So, it’s simple to discern that bringing in Terrible Owens are signs of trouble, and the most horrific blunder by reaching an agreement with a mischief maker. If you don’t think Owens agreeing to a one-year, $2 million contract with a potential $2 million more in incentives is crazy, well, you obviously haven’t seen him yelling at teammates or throwing hissy fits with coaches on the sideline or haven’t seen him generating tirades and blaming all his foolish stunts on the media.

When it comes to Terrible Owens, the arrival of an uncivilized star spells trouble. When it comes to Terrible Owens, reaching a deal is a warning sign of hazardous episodes and the demise of one troubled superstar, engulfed by publicity madness, drama, and baggage to downsize a team’s assurance. By now, we are burned out of Owens’ me-myself-and-I practices, irritating our consciousness and the way we perceive a petulant veteran who usually at times conduct himself as an inexperience rookie, as if he’s still finding his way in the league.

As usual, Owens will drain the executives, coaching staff, and teammates in the Bengals organization, particularly if the team doesn’t compromise within his stingy and greedy demands. Why is he worth the hassle? By entering his 15th NFL season, he has accomplished unforeseen feats, an explosive receiver with inconceivable agility and crafty footwork, ranking third in career receiving yards and touchdowns and sixth in receptions.

The good-case scenario is that he provides veteran leadership and performs at the highest level alongside teammate Ochocinco, to form a receiver tandem in limbo. But the worst-case scenario is that he tears down chemistry and spirit by initiating rampages and havoc inside the locker room for jealousy and insecurity of his peers and teammates, accumulating more touches or regards.

“It’s really, really interesting we can be on the same team and work together,” Ochocinco said Tuesday on ESPN’s SportsCenter.

To refresh everyone’s memory, he lasted two seasons in Philadelphia and always had heated feuds with quarterback Donovan McNabb by verbally attacking teammates and throwing tantrums on the sidelines. Remember, he cried and created a ruckus in Dallas, initiating tiring feuds that were advertised publicly when he feuded with quarterback Tony Romo, irritated because he wasn’t getting enough touches or participating in a high-powered offense.

Remember, his disturbing antics forced loyal owner Jerry Jones to release a problematic Owens, whose babyish disruptions were very ravaging within a franchise. Remember, he spent eight seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, exploding when he attacked Jeff Garcia and insulted his quarterback by calling him gay.

As a well-known diva, it was a risky move for the Bengals, who advanced to the playoffs last season and had enough talent and problems. It’s bad enough that owner Mike Brown is a dauntless businessman willing to take gambles and lobby for rebellious players. If anything, he’s not concerned with building a depleted franchise with unlawful players, but he prefers to win a significant amount of games and advance to the playoffs, having a troubled Larry Johnson and Matt Jones, including a mobile running back Cedric Benson, who benefited on the field while running into unlawful troubles off the field.

Without carefully considering, Brown accepts a mystic Terrible Owens and welcomes the wideout to the Bengals family, based on talent and not a poor reputation. All of which, quarterback Carson Palmer, who has worked with Owens and has been “highly impressed,” is the victim of T.O. attacks if he loses his mind and self-control.

It figures that Cincinnati is Owens’ last franchise before he announces his retirement, with the aging receiver’s style suddenly declining and approaching the late stages of his disillusioning career. It’s a tremendous opportunity for T.O. to mellow as the innocent sports figure and prove to all the populace that he’s not such a villain or franchise suicide, garnering a sense the world revolves around Terrible Owens.

He must discard all the diva acts, an annoying trend needless within a franchise on a mission, so maybe it’s his last resort for avoiding unemployment and salvaging job security and maybe it’s his last resort at thriving with a championship-caliber team and winning a title.

Then again, maybe he’ll be the crybaby that will mope over the amount of touches and receptions. Then again, maybe at the end of the season Marvin Lewis, who is responsible for babysitting Terrible Owens, may have to stroll to the nearest Babies “R” Us and stick a pacifier in Owens’ mouth for weeping and bickering.

“Yes, people can make mistakes,” said Brown. “It doesn’t mean that they go on the rest of their lives making mistakes. They can get their ship pointed in the right direction. This is a 36-year-old man. He’s been through a lot. He’s proven as a player and as a person.”

He’s a little baby and cries out loud. It’s common that he’ll excel and blend in well at the beginning, but as time carries on, he could become the attention-seeker and create havoc, especially when the team is performing poorly and losing a critical amount of games.

Oftentimes, he has blamed ESPN for defaming a troubled reputation and exposing erroneous images. Now, it’s the worldwide leader in sports fault, if he acts like a foolish dimwit, unwilling and blinded by the truth. It’s the actions of Owens, not a television network or Internet source that he deeply targets and holds accountable.

“The teams I’ve been on, if you ask in that locker room how I’ve been as a teammate and as a person, it’s contradictory to what’s been displayed out there,” Owens said. “I’ve never been in any trouble. I know right from wrong. I try to make the right choices and judgments when I’m out in the public.

“It’s not like I can’t play. There is some type of influence that they’re making in the minds of teams and owners and GMs. I feel like I have enough talent to be a starter on any team. That’s what’s so frustrating.”

At anytime, he could lose his mind, throw a hissy fit, and verbally attack teammates. At anytime, Owens’, Ochocinco’s and Palmer’s egos may helplessly collide. With the poor character of Terrible Owens, anything is possible. You never know.

If you are tuning in to the latest reality show, your regularly scheduled program could be cancelled, allowing Terrible Owens to return to “The T.O. Show,” or even Oprah or Dr. Phil for some advice on how to avoid dysfunction. As we all know, Ochocinco appeared on “Dancing With the Stars” and currently starring in a dating show called “Ochocinco: The Ultimate Catch.” It’s easy to postulate that they are obsessed with popularity and attention, but also have mental and personal issues.

There’s a reality show in Cincinnati. It’s called the “Team of Dysfunction.”

Oh, Lord…

As we all know, the Indianapolis Colts last game was against the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl 44. And, as everybody knows, Tracy Porter ended the game by picking off Peyton Manning for a 31-17 win.

But now, many our doubting the Indianapolis Colts once again. This time for the 2010-11 NFL season.

Last season, they were saying it will be tough for the Colts to make it to the playoffs with Marvin Harrison gone and with the other teams in the AFC South rising. Bull.

The Colts managed to go to 14 straight wins and make it to the big show. So what if some of those games they got lucky? When it all goes down, it’s a win. A win is a win. Just simple as that.

Now here we go again.

Now many of the critics say that the Houston Texans will rise over Indy. Nope. Their time will come, but it’s too early to say for this year. Although, in my opinion, I do see them making the playoffs finally.

And then there’s another thing about them not making it back to the Super Bowl. I can see why.

Let’s look back at the past ten Super Bowl teams that lost.

In 2000, the Tennessee Titans fell one yard short to the St. Louis Rams. They have never made it back to the Super Bowl and have struggled since then pretty much. Their best year came in the 2008-09 season, but failed against the Baltimore Ravens.

Then came the New York Giants, who got smothered by the Baltimore Ravens, 34-7. However, they managed to come back to the Super Bowl, beating the then-undefeated New England Patriots 17-14.

The St. Louis Rams got knocked off by the New England Patriots in the 2002 Super Bowl, 20-17. Since then, they have failed to make it to the Super Bowl and are now known as one of them bottom three teams in the National Football League right now.

Then came the Oakland Raiders getting destroyed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 48-21. Since that loss, they have not even managed to go towards a single playoff appearance. But now, after almost a decade, they finally have high hopes of a playoff berth for this season.

Then along came the Carolina Panthers, barely losing to the New England Patriots in a 32-29 loss. The Panthers have made it to the playoffs a couple times, but never managed to get to another Super Bowl appearance.

Then came the Philadelphia Eagles getting beaten by the Patriots in 2005, 24-21. They have made it to the playoffs many times after that, but they couldn’t get a Super Bowl appearance.

Then the Pittsburgh Steelers came in 2006, knocking off the Seattle Seahawks 21-10. The Seahawks haven’t returned to the same form since then. They have been struggling and could be heading for another bad year.

Then came the Chicago Bears, who lost to the Indianapolis Colts 29-17. The Bears have been a struggling squad since then and are a long way from returning towards that form.

In 2008, the New York Giants surprised the Patriots in a 17-14 victory. But since then, the Patriots haven’t returned to the Super Bowl, let alone not even get past the first round of the playoffs.

And then the Arizona Cardinals got beat by the Steelers, 27-23, in the 2009 Super Bowl. The Cardinals managed to get back to the playoffs, but not the Super Bowl after getting smothered by the New Orleans Saints, 45-14, in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Now the Colts, who lost to the Saints, enter 2010 with hopes of returning to the Super Bowl. For the past decade, only one team managed to make it back, but it took six years! The Colts can’t afford to let that happen to them.

The Colts can return. The receivers in Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie are improved. Then Anthony Gonzalez has finally returned, which gives Indianapolis five good receiving targets on their squad.

I believe Joseph Addai and Donald Brown can create a strong rushing attack, something the Colts needed for a while after struggling running the ball for the past two seasons.

And of course, there is Peyton Manning. You just cannot deny him. When the game is on the line, this is the guy you can count on.

And there is also the defense. The Colts have added a new pass rusher to their squad in Jerry Hughes. He’ll be needed in a rotation with Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney.

The linebacking corps has a lot of hope and so do the corners, who played excellent last season and are looking to be shutdown-type corners coming into 2010.

Everything is going good. The Colts can prove doubters wrong, but this time, the expectations are much higher than what it was last year.

Can the Colts return?

Hey, anything is possible.

Here in the origin of Southern California, a prestigious university is tattered in tremendous dysfunction and tainted with all the latest sanctions and scandals at USC. But it turns out Lane Kiffin is back in the news as horrid headlines surfaced of the scrutinized coach, hated for fleeing a program after recruiting nine prospects and committing allegedly six infractions at Tennessee.

If the pedigree at USC is embracing triumph, then the coveted program must regret ever hiring Kiffin, who has committed dreadful sins and selfishly walked out on Tennessee, departing Rocky Top and traveled to Hollywood. By reputation, however, he’s the most despised citizen in football, an outlandish collegiate coach encountering such litigation as the Tennessee Titans filed a lawsuit against a misbehaved buffoon.

If he endures in flirting with coaches and asking kids to skip out on class sessions to enroll at USC, the scandals and poison will stain a corrupted program. But it’s obvious that his frequent pattern of troubles is incurable, with his arrogance and self-indulgence to run a fraudulent business and rise above the law. In this predicament, though, he’s not enabled to avoid legal actions, or escape the bad karma of leaving a program in a maelstrom.

In all likelihood, the recent sins are a red flag of utter ruination among an elite program. As he arrived to USC with an unproven track record, he was hastily justified as the finest recruiter at a premium, but the Trojans desperately brought aboard Kiffin, blinded of his uncivil departure and immoralities.

Fourteen months spent at Tennessee, he failed to enlighten and lead a program in football’s best conference, and led the Volunteers to merely a 7-6 record with several infractions. Then lastly, he bailed out when a job opportunity opened at USC. It was a joke as the players he recruited meant nothing at Tennessee.

But it’s a hiring the Trojans will regret as his alleged infractions were archetypes of doom and torment, sauntering into a school with traditionally modest standards and pure accomplishments. For instance, he forayed into the Tennessee Titans, a franchise furious of his cowardice and arrogance in stealing an employee on the eve of training camp, and wrongly hired running backs coach Kennedy Pola as his offensive coordinator.

“I am very disappointed in Lane Kiffin’s approach to this,” coach Jeff Fisher told the Tennessean Saturday. “Typically speaking, when coaches are interested in hiring or discussing potential employment from coaches on respective staffs, there is a courtesy call made from the head coach or athletic director indicating there is interest in talking to an assistant.

“So I am very disappointed in the lack of professionalism on behalf of Lane, to call me and leave me a voice mail after Kennedy had informed me he had taken the job. It is just a lack of professionalism.”

All you need to know about Kiffin is that he’s a sham who really isn’t a recruiting expertise, but instead a phony and sordid moron. He indeed plays fast and loose with the rules and violates NCAA principles, which are prohibited or unnecessary.

It’s very abnormal that a lawsuit is filed against a coach, unless its Kiffin crucified and ridiculed for a Lane Violation of breaching the law and protocol regularly. This is the beginning of a controversy and the latest dirt at USC. Pathetically, he lied directly in the faces of trustees during his introduction at Heritage Hall and also pledged that he’d never commit immoralities months ago.

Consider it a red flag, folks.

The hyperbole of iniquities is that he cannot be trusted, and the unlawful attitude won’t cease, either. He’s not aiming for prosperity, but thriving as a way to beat the system and has been very unsuccessful. A few days removed from the university ousting all the dreadful sins of poisoning and tarnishing the etiquette of a school as well as the prestige, USC returned its replica of Reggie Bush’s Heisman trophy, getting rid of the images of a former star tailback.

Just recently, low-keyed, stolid athletic director Mike Garrett was dismissed and replaced with stern Pat Haden, who emphasizes spotless and compliant reversal. But as long as Kiffin is inhuman and tries acting intelligent in bamboozling the system, USC will endure a pattern of infamy and rebelliousness.

The oblivion eventually becomes a clearer understanding as to why the good people dislike Kiffin. First of all, the Titans are suing the fool and USC for “maliciously” hiring Pola, who left the Titans for Southern California, “inducement of breach of contract.”

Secondly, in his tenure at Tennessee, he was hired as the head coach of one of the most prestigious programs in collegiate football, but blew his reputation and had two players booted off the roster for an attempted armed robbery. And thirdly, the NCAA is still investigating whether the program used recruiting hostesses.

“We’re going to have a culture of compliance. We’re going to think about it in the morning, think about it before we go to bed,” Haden said. “We’re going to have issues, but we’ll fess up and be better than the way we have been. We have to do better. We don’t have any choices here. We stub our toe, there’s going to be some problems.”

The least proudest is entering president Max Niklas and begins officially on Aug. 3. But he elaborated on the ongoing burlesque in college football.

“USC, which experiences both the opportunities and challenges involved with a high-profile athletics program at a global hub, will seek to excel in the coming years in a manner that is consistent with the highest values of the academy…The Trojan family honors and respects the USC sporting careers of those persons whose actions did not compromise their athletic program or the opportunities of future USC student-athletes.”

When he previously finished 5-15 in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders, he failed miserably but wasn’t given a chance to predicate a proven capacity, and was accused of deceiving a sullied owner Al Davis, who referred to Kiffin as a “flat-out liar.” And months later, he literally finished with an identical track record and left the Vols in favor of USC.

The athletic director of Tennessee Mike Hamilton was unhappy of his departure, and fans were setting fires and vandalizing city property in the state incensed of his abandonment. The caveat of the recent obstacles is traces of a coaching job in uncertainty and would be jeopardized for all the misconducts, if USC evaluates Kiffin’s latest impurity.

“He is my coach, and I love my coach,” Haden said. “I don’t want to say we’re not going to have any issues. We will. We’re going to have guys whispering in our guys’ ears, but we’re going to do our best. I don’t think we’re going to have a problem with compliance with Lane. I think he knows where we’re coming from.”

Not when he’s committing sins, again. He impetuously stole Pola. So, he’s not an excellent recruiter after all, but a sham. When he was first hired by USC, I actually felt he blended in well as the Trojans head coach, but now he’s a regrettable hiring, one the university needs to carefully consider dismissing.

Jose Reyes is the catalyst of the New York Mets; if he plays well then more than likely the Mets are going to win. One can even say that if Jose Reyes is playing well and is healthy the Mets are a good team. The facts talk for themselves, when Jose is in the lineup the Mets win. From 2006 to 2008 the Mets had 87 plus wins and were competing for the division title every year; taking home the division title in 2006. 2009 brought an injury to Jose Reyes that would sideline him for basically the entire season, that season was also the worst campaign the Mets have had in years. There is no coincidence that the Mets struggled so mightily the year that Reyes missed most of the season. There is even more staggering evidence provided to us in this current 2010 season. The Metropolitans started off the season very slow, 4 and 8 to be exact. Not surprisingly Jose was injured for that time period. Reyes made his way back onto the field and as some of the field rust wore off him the Mets took off and had a successful first half of the season. It is extremely obvious that in order for the Mets to compete there is not one more important person then Jose Reyes.

Carlos Beltran is the other man of the hour. He has missed just as much time as Reyes the last year and half. There were many games in the first half of the season where the Mets really missed Beltran. His bat is so important for the Mets and he should put them over the hump in the second half.  However Carlos is coming back from a severe injury and as we have seen in the handful of games since his return he has lost quite a few steps in the outfield.

The Mets need both of these players to provide great play if they hope to make the playoffs. The popular belief is that the Mets need to add a starting pitcher in order to compete. That belief is true, but more important than adding a solid starting pitcher is getting Reyes and Beltran to play as close to their MVP forms that once graced Queens, New York.

Today, amid the start of training camp, the Baltimore Ravens have announced what has been expected, which is Ed Reed, Lardarius Webb, and Fabian Washington being placed on the PUP list.

All of them are recovering from offseason surgeries, and it is in the best interest of the team to have them at full strength by midseason.

Still, all hope isn’t lost as many experts make it seem to be.

The next player has to be ready to step up their game, and there are plenty of players on the roster eager to earn a starting job.

Here is an in-depth look at the positives regarding the loss of the three starters on defense:

Training Camp Has Just Begun, with A Month of Time To Prepare

Yes, it will be a challenge not having two of your top three cornerbacks and one of the best safeties in the game.

But, with camp getting underway, it works to the advantage of the defense.

Dominique Foxworth and Chris Carr played together during the end of the regular season and postseason, when Webb and Washington were lost to injuries.

Having improved under Greg Mattison’s defensive scheme, the coaching staff has a full month to put these corners (rookies and vets) into the best situation possible.

Tom Zbikowski is another player who is ready to take on a bigger role this season.

He played solid coverage when Reed was unable to play with the hip injury.

Though he doesn’t have the presence Ed has, the cornerback play has risen when he plays, as the unit is provided more coverage when facing the passing game.

The Option of Signing Another Cornerback Is Still Out There

This option may be less likely, but don’t rule out the possibility of the Ravens bringing in another cornerback, especially with the inexperience low in the depth chart.

Veterans always face the chance of being cut during training camp, and could become a solid acquisition to a thick roster of cornerbacks.

The deactivation of Lardarius Webb, Ed Reed, and Fabian Washington certainly is a big blow to one of the league’s best defenses.

Despite these losses, there is no excuse to not perform in 2010. The coaching staff feels there is enough depth on the roster to make up for the losses, and with a month until opening night, there should be enough time to get the players ready for what should be a year with high expectations.

Josina Anderson of FOX 31 in Denver is reporting Eric Decker will formally put pen to paper on Tuesday, signing a 4-year contract worth up to $4.8 million, with a $732,150 signing bonus.

The rookie Wide Receiver out of Minnesota fell on draft boards after suffering a Lisfranc foot fracture during his senior year. He hasn’t fully practiced with the Broncos yet, but is expected to be ready to come on August 1st – when the team officially starts Training Camp.

“I feel very good going into this week,” said the No. 87 overall pick of April’s draft. “I have worked very hard on increasing my strength and endurance, as well as managing my pain. Obviously, I don’t want any setbacks during camp, but we have an excellent training staff that will work with me to feel confident about taking the field every day.”

The Broncos can now focus on signing the high round draft picks, Demaryius Thomas, Tim Tebow, and Zane Beadles. The Denver Post speculates all will have signed by Wednesday. Check out my exclusive April interview with Decker by clicking here.

On this heartwarming day, as the raindrops fell softly before a beautiful rainbow glowed overhead at the baseball town known as Cooperstown, maybe it was the endearing, informal speech, or maybe it was his posture when he took the podium humbled, hearing his name enshrined into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

There were times, of course, when Andre Dawson wasn’t expected of being acknowledged as a Hall of Famer, omitted by many populace devoted to the game of baseball. It’s a rhetorical understanding that he was always disregarded and had to wait nine elections anxiously for a hallowed moment, a chance to feel the intense gratification of having his name engraved at Cooperstown.

In his playing days, he was an endearing star and stood as an admired icon because of his singular exploits and humility as the finest slugger with the then-Montreal Expos during an accomplished era. In a sense, it worked in his favor, becoming merely the 203rd player in the game’s history inducted into the Hall.

“Thank you for welcoming this rookie to your team” said Dawson, who wore a Montreal uniform for 10 seasons before joining the Chicago Cubs as a free agent. “It’s an honor beyond words. I didn’t play this game with this goal in mind, but I’m living proof that if you love this game, the game will love you back. I am proof that any young person who can hear my voice right now can be standing here as I am.”

The words of inspiration alone tells us he was worthy of an incredible award. So each year, the Baseball Writer’s Association ignored the purity and qualifications of Dawson, especially when it’s a game obsessed with numbers and milestones, a trait and symbolic feature recognized all over the baseball society. However, it was a different notion for the man who appeared in the All-Star Game eight times, with 438 homers, 2,774 hits, 1,591 RBIs and 314 stolen bases in a remarkable career, all while serving a 20-year tenure.

Likewise, he acknowledged that the writers have the leverage in votes.

“You don’t hear any negativity about people in the Hall of Fame,” Dawson said. “How voting goes remains to be seen. You (writers) have always been the experts.”

What man gives credit to the writers? Not many players offer appreciation to writers, but more than anything, are critical of a writer’s stance and demeanor. When he arrived as a rookie in 1977, the hippie era including a phase most wore stylish afros, he was marked as a pseudo in the game and left us suspicious whether he was evidently a juicer at threshold of the Steroid Era.

Things have begun to elicit much questioning and skepticism in the caveat of the “dark side,” warning players about the latent repercussions of the usage of performance-enhancing drugs. To this day, he does garner a sense that the game is on the brink of self-destruction and believes the infected era is slowly receding.

“There’s nothing wrong with the game of baseball,” said Dawson. “Baseball will, from time to time like anything else in life, fall victim to the mistakes that people make. It’s not pleasant and it’s not right. Individuals have chosen the wrong road, and they’re choosing that as their legacy. Those mistakes have hurt the game and taken a toll on all of us.

“Others still have a chance to choose theirs. Do not be lured to the dark side. It’s a stain on the game, a stain gradually being removed.”

He slowly sauntered to the podium and microphone, maintaining open forum and absorbed the audience’s attention during his length speech, a touching moment that showed the classiness and humbleness of a deeply honored outfielder in his time. But unfortunately, Dawson’s numbers were trivial by the seductive home run surge of Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmerio, and Sammy Sosa, with the juiced era spoiling it for the innocent and spotless players.

For the first time since exiting the game, he was given an opportunity to be honored as a worthy player of the Hall and diluted an ascending legacy, a moment in his lifetime he was able to cherish as the Cubs and Expos fans roared and applauded a well-deserved athlete. On a pleasant afternoon, he was eulogized and cheered loudly by fans, accompanied by former manager Whitey Herzog, umpire Doug Harvey, broadcaster Jon Miller, and sportswriter Bill Madden, who all shared the moment and were inducted into the Hall.

In what was a touching tribute, his mellifluous public speaking went a long way, comprising of strong messages. In what was a sentimental ceremony, his eloquent words may have enlightened us. The cadence of his heartfelt, genuine speech was simply impressive, delivering a 15 to 20 minute acceptance message. With ailing knees, he stood tall and reflected on a painful career in which he endured 12 knee surgeries to mark a remarkable career.

“The initial impact was early as a result of high school football injury,” Dawson said. “The wear and tear over those 11 years, favoring that one particular knee, caused me to wear out the other knee. As it turned, I think I had eight surgeries by the time I was out of Montreal. I got to the point where I was more or less bone on bone.”

It’s never easy playing on a badly damaged knee that nearly forced Dawson to retire prematurely after his fourth season in the big leagues with the Expos before he returned to somehow write an extraordinary chapter and lasted 21 seasons in the majors. There were times, particularly following games, when he spent ample hours bathing and soaking his troubled knees, finding ways to heal career-threatening injuries.

And if there was one player who endured severe injuries, Dawson was a tough-minded outfielder with eight Gold Gloves, Most Valuable Player, and Rookie of the Year awards. Anytime a player has become one of only three players in major-league history to finish with at least 400 home runs and 300 stolen bases, he’s worthy of the Hall of Fame. Lastly, he’s in the company of Barry Bonds and Willie Mays to reach such a plateau.

As for the worthy ones elected in the Class of 2010, John Fogerty told the Hall of Famers. “You guys belong up here.”

Dawson certainly did.

With six days remaining until the baseball trade deadline, moments ago another star was traded.

Two weeks ago it was Cliff Lee, now it is Dan Haren to the rival Los Angeles Angels.

Broken minutes ago on the YES Network (network for the New York Yankees), the Arizona Diamondbacks will trade Dan Haren to the Angels for pitcher Joe Saunders and three other prospects.

The Yankees and Twins were among the many teams interested in the star pitcher.

Speculation rose about Haren’s future in Arizona, and he did have his wish of playing for a contender.

As usual, the Angels are in the AL West race, and just got an ace to prove it.