Neither Heaven nor Hell
I think I’ve finally figured it out. Last November I wrote a short paragraph asking how and why it is that with so many car and motorcycle accidents, speeding injuries, drive by shootings and other terrifying deaths, it seems like the good guys are the ones seriously hurt or killed while the bad dudes survive.
This probably hinges on the decisions of the admission committees in heaven above or hell below. Some of the villains and convicts are so bad those in hell don’t want to associate with them either.
The Good, Bad and Greedy
Last week an Associated Press release noted that The NFL may be on the hook for more money than expected if a federal judge can’t be convinced that its $765 million concussion settlement with more than 4,500 former NFL players will be adequate to pay out benefits over the 65-year life of the agreement.
Last Tuesday a federal judge asked both parties to back up their assertions that the agreement negotiated over several months is appropriate. U.S. District Judge Anita B. Brody denied a motion that was meant to serve as a preliminary approval for the settlement, seeking more information from the parties. Brody wrote that she was “primarily concerned that not all retired NFL football players who ultimately receive a qualifying diagnosis or their (families)…will be paid,” and that the lawyers for both parties have not addressed those concerns.
Considering the judge’s ruling, both sides will need to offer more evidence the fund will be sufficient or possibly have the NFL add money to the pot. Otherwise, they may be left to start over.
“We are confident that the settlement is fair and adequate, and look forward to demonstrating that to the court,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said. Meanwhile, previous players looking to receive assistance for the injuries they sustained while playing in the league will have to wait to be compensated.
Add this to the legal horrors of the young players who are drafted or otherwise want to sign with a NFL team. They will need one lawyer to negotiate a contract regarding their salaries, benefits and obligations with their team. They will need a second lawyer to draw up a contract to cover future injuries sustained under the concussion settlement.
It looks like the lawyer sport agent may have to learn personal injury law and the personal injury lawyer learn sports law. Alternatively, the football player could deal with two lawyers with different specialties, a really cruel and unusual punishment.
Angels in the Dugout
They traded my two favorite players, OF Peter Bourjus and DH Mark Trumbo. They spent $400 million on signing 1B Albert Pujols in 2012 and OF Josh Hamilton in 2013 who have had sub-par years. Yet, the 2014 Angels are a better team now than in 2013.
Angel management seemed to have a plan that they actually carried out. First, they improved the coaching staff with Dino Ebel becoming bench coach, Gary DiSarcina 3B coach and Don Baylor being hired as batting coach. They added quality starting and relief pitchers and wound up with a real third baseman, David Freese. They added power guy and DH Raul Ibanez. There is the possibility of adding another quality starter. A number of adequate free agent starters are still unsigned because they are waiting to see what the latest Japanese pitching phenomenon, Masahiro Tanaka (20-0 with Rakutan in 2013), will make when he signs with a MLB team. He probably will sign with the Dodgers or Yankees or less likely with the Angels. So, I may watch and enjoy the Angels less, but their record should be better.
