Muchigan Coach Jim Harbaugh to Receive Suspension for 2021 NCAA Violation

 Jim Harbaugh, no stranger to controversy, once again finds himself in hot water.  An NCAA investigation found Harbaugh committed some level II violations.  These type of infractions are relatively minor, and result in minimal consequences.  However, due to Harbaugh’s dishonesty with the investigators, a more severe punishment will be put in place.  Harbaugh maintains, he engaged in no wrongdoing.

According to investigators, Harbaugh and his staff initially went against two policies.  Firstly, it was found they were in contact with players during a Covid “dead period” that was in place at the time.  In other words, there was a set time frame in which players and coaches could have no contact.  Next, coaches were in communication with players during workouts and non practice periods.  Engaging in such activities is strictly prohibited.  Due to the fact that Harbaugh misled the NCAA, by denying such activities occurred, when investigators had evidence to contrary, the minor infractions were elevated to level II violations.  Had Harbaugh admitted to the incidents, he would not be looking at such harsh punishments 

Why the NCAA chooses to meddle in team activities to such an extent remains a mystery. Why does it matter when and where players and coaches have contact.  To me, this is an opportunity for a team to perform just that much better.  I mean, honestly, we are now paying college players, and we are going to get our panties in a wad about when coaches and players meet.  Yes, rules are rules, and Harbaugh should have followed those policies and been honest about what occurred, (which he maintains he was.). Why is there not a third party brought in to settle such disputes, and issue rulings.  This way, each side could present their case.  Regardless, the NCAA should loosen their regulations when it comes to team operations.  What is the purpose of monitoring such activities?  Who does it harm?

Though originally contending he was innocent, it’s tough to come out ahead when facing an NCAA investigation.  For this reason, rather than dealing with the consequences of a long drawn out fiasco that could harm his team in the long run, Harbaugh caved, and is in the process of negotiating a scaled down 4 game suspension to be served at the beginning of the 2023 season.  Had he chosen to continue to fight the allegations, it could have resulted in much more severe consequences, even termination.  With the trajectory this Michigan team is now on, it probably was not worth the risk.

Though the NCAA must monitor its clubs to make sure they operate in the most ethical manner possible, how can teams’ basic practicing habits at their core contain untoward elements.  Yes, teams must practice in a manner that puts the safety of all involved first, but that’s all that should be regulated.  Nothing else that occurs on the practice field should be in the NCAA’s purview.  To me, anything else the NCAA involves itself in is micromanagement.

Why are the Tigers so Consistently Inconsistent?

 For a long time now, for years in fact, the Detroit Tigers have struggled to find themselves playing consistent for long periods of time.  Yes, they can play well for 5 or 6 games, but then they fall back on their old habits that create bad play.  While the exact reasons for this remain unclear, there may be some viable suggestions.  Even though these suggestions may not pinpoint the real problems with this team, they are worth discussing.

It appears the largest problem the Tigers have is the inability to execute the fundamentals of baseball on consistent basis.  Almost without exception, teams that win play virtually flawless fundamental baseball.  This means, not being baited into swinging at bad pitches, getting runners in from 3rd base with less than two outs, and playing air tight on the defensive side of the ball.  Furthermore, teams must avoid prolonged low offensive output.  Though the Tigers have had pretty solid pitching lately, consistent defense and offense have been non existent.  Being unable to perform consistently in all aspects of the game is a recipe for a long stretch of unsuccessful seasons.

A very prominent issue the Tigers have had for several years is signing marquee players to long term deals that have ultimately turned out to be unproductive for the most part.  Unfortunately, the list is quite long.  To begin with, Miguel Cabrera has had dismal performances for half of his 10 year contract he signed the the team.  For the past five years, he has been injury prone, which has kept him off the field for much of the time.  In addition, when on the field his power and average numbers have fell far below expectations.  Signings the likes of Jordan Zimmerman and Joe Nathan over the years have not helped matters.  Both had success far below that seen with their previous organizations.  Thanks to his successes with the Washington Nationals, Zimmerman notched himself a five year deal with the Tigers.  Due to injury and inability to get batters out, the team didn’t get much return on their investment.  Similarly, Joe Nathan was unable to find his lights out form he once enjoyed with the Minnesota Twins.  The combination of lackluster performances by once great players, and the fact some highly thought of prospects haven’t panned out has led to a recent history of inconsistency.

Having an offense that cannot find a consistent groove and is prone to long stretches of inactivity, will inevitably lead to many winless nights.  Furthermore, an offense that lacks power on a regular basis makes it more difficult to produce runs at pivotal moments when runners are on base.  It’s imperative that offenses come through at the most opportune times.  Too many times this season, the meat of the lineup has shown an inability to do so.  It’s no wonder this team has not found more success, even in the underperforming American League Central Division 

In order to have even mild success on the baseball field, the offense, defense, and pitching must perform well in unison.  If this doesn’t occur, winning is more difficult to come by.  To ensure it does occur, a team must sign the right talent, and hope those pieces perform to expectations.  In recent history, this team has had trouble finding talent that performs as advertised.  With President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris now at the helm, hopefully those fortunes will change.

Why Are Sports Leagues Implementing Gimmicks to Sell Their Product?

 It appears that the Major Sports Leagues in this nation have determined that it is necessary to incorporate various facets to maintain their sport’s relevancy.  With a generation that needs constant stimulation, apparently these leagues feel the current adjustments being made will lead to greater popularity and continued financial solvency.  But, the question is: Are these choices the ones that will ultimately achieve the desired goals?  Can it be done without watering down what makes each league great?  Obviously, this remains to be seen.

Perhaps, the League that has changed most drastically in the way it conducts itself on the field is Major League Baseball.  To hold a new generation’s attention, games have been sped up through the use of a pitch clock.  To further this effort, rules to increase offense and scoring have been adopted.  This includes bigger bases and limits on throw overs to first base.  Definitely, this has shortened games and increased action, which theoretically increases profits.  But has it been done in a manner that damages athletic and competitive integrity? Perhaps.  If this is the case, some changes are not worth the financial benefit.

Another organization that has put some rather peculiar policies in place to maintain and improve its fan base interest is the NBA.  In the last couple of years, the league has developed a play in tournament during the playoffs. In this scenario the 9th and 10th placed teams in each conference face off to see who will fill the 7th and 8th spot in each conference.  This is what you call expanding the playoffs, without expanding the playoffs.  It satisfies the fan bases and increases cash flow, while maintaining the same amount of teams competing for a championship.  Beginning next year, the league will attempt to further boost its financial intake and visibility by implementing an in season tournament.  Basically, the league is inflating the importance of in season games to pad their bottom line.  It is unclear what lengths the NBA will go to to maximize its profits.

Unfortunately, it appears that professional leagues will do whatever necessary to maximize cash flow.  Any changes that need to me made to increase profits will occur.  Even when damage occurs to the fabric of the game, and it ruffles the feathers of its current fans, it is apparent that finances will reign supreme.  If this trend continues, the characteristics that make sports great will be lost forever.

Should the Detroit Tigers be Buyers or Sellers at Trade Deadline?

 Around this time of year, MLB teams begin to consider whether they should be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline that falls at the end of July.  In other words, if they are out of playoff contention, ball clubs generally trade away some of their better talent to obtain players and prospects to improve for the future.  On the other hand, if teams have a good chance of competing for playoff position, they generally add to their already talented roster in hopes of finding themselves in the postseason.  For the Tigers, it is time to add a bit of pitching to sure up the starting rotation, and some bats to make the offense more potent.  If these steps are taken, this club could finally overtake the weak American League Central Division.

Despite the Detroit Tigers being well under .500 at 37-47, the fact is, that the team could still win this division.  A look at the standings shows that every team in the American League Central, minus the Minnesota Twins, does not have a winning record, paving the way for any club to come out on top. Why not the Tigers? To do this, the Tigers should add some solid hitters to support Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, and Zach McKinstry.  There is no doubt that these guys would perform even better if some of the pressure was taken of them to carry this team.  We need to add a bat or two that can hit for average and power.  Adding such pieces would make this team demonstrably better than their divisional competition.

Yes, this division is less than stellar.  Even so, many would say that the Tigers should trade some of their key pieces that have contributed to their moderate success this season in an effort to obtain players that will make this team more successful in the future. However, no one team is guaranteed to be competitive from season to season, so when they have the opportunity, it should be taken advantage of.  If this is not done, competitive years could be few and far between.

In order to conquer this division, it is probable that this team must only be marginally better.  To get there, they need the returning starting pitchers in Tarik Skubal, Matt Manning, and Eduardo Rodriguez to regain their magical abilities they displayed pre injury.  Additionally, they need to acquire a solid starter or two to bolster this already good rotation.  If the Tigers pull off these moves, they would be capable of obliterating the rest of the division.  Whether they will or not remains to be seen.

Needless to say, Tiger fans are hungry for a winning team.  A squad that is must see TV every night.  For much of the season, they have provided an entertaining product periodically this season.  Now, we are just waiting for a little more consistency that can dominate the competition.  It’s my opinion, that with some slight adjustments, the Tigers could find themselves in playoff contention the rest of the year.