Daily Madden: Aging Stars Face Uncertain Future
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - John Madden spoke to the KCBS morning crews Monday about the the continuing struggles of aging Yankees stars Jorge Posada and Derek Jeter.
Posada made news over the weekend by complaining about his demotion in the batting order. Madden said it was the stress of a rough start to the season.
"It was just the frustration of hitting .165," said Madden. "At the end of your career (you get questioned) 'Is he finished...If this happened six or seven years ago you would laugh it off.'"
Madden said questions about the future of older players like Posada and Jeter are legitimate, but it is hard to question the efforts of either Yankee star.
People are also asking questions about the career of Tiger Woods following his recent health problems and relative struggles.
Madden noted that Woods has a lot of wear and tear on his body.
"I think Tiger was playing at one," said Madden. "He has been swiging that club and torking that body."
The coach said he thinks starting too early, especially in individual sports, can shorten the length of your pro career.
Also, the Cardinals and Reds had a nasty verbal exchange over the weekend and x-rated language was flying from the dugouts - raising questions about what kind of limits on language there should be in professional sports.
"As you go up the ladder in baseball, that was part of the process, you learn how to handle that," said Madden.
He said graphic language is less of an issue in football, where it is so much harder to hear during the games.
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