Sunday, December 14, 2008

The Economy and Sports (Baseball, I'm looking at you)

As the economy in the United States continues to sink deeper into recession (almost a Freudian slip of depression), many experts have said that sports will be directly effected; ticket sales and sponsorship. We have seen the US Government pump money into banks and lenders with $700 billion dollars, yet we don't see those banks drop the sports teams they sponsor. AIG, sponsor of the English Premier League (futbol) team Manchester United, a contract of 14 million pounds (28 million bucks), will continue to sponsor the team through 2010. And across the pond in New York City, the US financial mecca, the troubled bank CitiGroup will continue to sponsor the New York Mets 'Citi Field' despite the the $400 million price tag over twenty years. In other words, the US Goverment, aka. the American tax payer, is footing the bill for these glorious sponsorships, not to mention the million dollar bonuses to line your Armani suits and privte jets.

Unfortunately, it doesn't end there. Not only are sponsors sticking with these teams, the owners and GMs are spending like its 1999. While even my own home team, the Mets, spend money on free agents, it still frustrates me to no end that teams are still spending 100+ millions of dollars in a time when millions don't even have a job. If I were the owners, I wouldn't pay them this kind of money. Sports salaries and contracts have escalated to extraordinary levels since the late 90's, and the only way it can stop is if teams stop letting agents like Scott Boras dictate the market value of a player.

It really is somewhat sad to see a player like CC Sabathia accept $23 million a year, during such tough economic times. I'm not saying these players should just take less money because we're in a tough economy, I think that MLB needs to look at other sports like the NFL and the NHL and bring on a salary cap. Teams like the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies and Dodgers will always have more money to spend, but, other teams like the Marlins, spend as little as possible, while remaining profitable. There needs to be a salary minimum and maximum. This is getting a bit off topic, but needs to be done sooner than later (not likely, but a guy can wish can't he?).

Sadly, people will continue to spend money to attend sporting events, watch on TV, buy their favorite player's jersey, so maybe this is all pointless, and nothing will change. But I think that as the economy gets worse, we will see lowered attendance and more people watching on TV, which is virtually free outside of their monthly cable bill. When the teams really feel the pinch, maybe they'll tighten up their wallet and players will get paid less.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

A Tasty (and spicy) Chicken Dish for your enjoyment...

Chipotle-Lime Chicken Thighs w/ Rice and Peas

The basis of this recipe comes from the FoodNetwork

Ingredients:

Chicken:

4 lbs (or less) of chicken thighs (boneless and skinless if possible)
1 Onion diced
1 cup of carrots (about 3 carrots)
1 cup of Celery (about two stalks)
S & P (salt and pepper)
1 15 oz can of unseasoned tomato sauce
1/4 cup lime juice
1 Pepper from a small can Chipotle Peppers in adobo sauce AND teaspoon of sauce (use more for spicier dish)
2 clove garlic
1 Avocado diced (optional, for tasty garnish on top)
1/4 cilantro (Asian parsley)

In large pot place Onions, carrots, celery on bottom of pot. Arrange chicken thighs on top. Add S&P generously.

In medium bowl, add tomato sauce, lime juice, 2 cloves garlic, chipotle chilis and sauce. Pour over chicken. Cover, bring to boil, reduce heat to medium and keep covered, approximately 45 minutes.

Rice:

2 cups white rice
1 cup water
1 can coconut milk
teaspoon dry thyme
lime zest
Frozen peas - approximately 8 oz.

In medium sauce pan add all ingredients and bring to boil. Reduce to low and keep covered until water is absorbed and rice is tender.

Serve Chicken over Rice, top with Cilantro and Avocado.

Bon Appetite!

After a long Hiatus...the don returns

After being MIA for nearly one year, I have decided to resume this blog in the hopes of not just ranting about crap that pisses me off, but of recipes, music reviews, concerts I've attended etc.

It has recently come to my attention that the "Don of DC," which initiated this blog in the first place, posted a comment declaring he is the true, and first, don of dc. While technically, this fine individual is correct, I stand by my past statements and declare that someone simply being named Don, having Italian decedents and living in DC, does not make that person a true Don of DC. Having received the nickname nearly 9 years ago, I do not take criticism of my nickname lightly. I believe it is possible for the two of our blogs to coexist without further (this will be my final statement on the subject) attempts on either part to delegitimize one another. I thank you for your service to the City of Washington D.C., good day.