The First Mailbag: Booty’s Legacy

At least, I feel like I am hitting it big here at SoCal Sports Hub because I am going to do my first mailbag. I encourage all readers and listeners to please email me at mailbag[at]socalsportshub[dot]com with any questions or comments, especially if you disagree with something that I have written. I always love healthy debate. Thanks to the three guys who wrote in questions for this week’s mailbag.

At last Saturday’s draft John David Booty was picked in the fifth round, a far cry from Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart’s first round selections. Why has Booty been so underrated and criticized during his time at USC?
–Kevin B., Santa Monica, Calif.

Any quarterback who followed Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart would be criticized unless they won a pair national championships and had a case full of hardware before they hung their cleats up. So obviously, Booty received more criticism during his time at USC than he deserved, simply because of who his predecessors were.

When you talk to on any given Pete Carroll about the football program’s goals he will immediately respond by saying, “Own the Rose Bowl.” On multiple occasions Carroll has stated that it is USC’s annual to beat UCLA (who play in the Rose Bowl) and to win the Pac Ten conference, which guarantees a trip to Pasadena. So looking back at Booty’s two season at quarterback, it is pretty clear that he accomplished the program’s goal to own the Rose Bowl with a victory over UCLA, two Pac Ten titles, two victories in the Grandaddy of them All, and a Rose Bowl MVP trophy. In addition to accomplishing the team goals, Booty posted some solid stats as well with 5,708 passing yards and 52 touchdowns in just two seasons at quarterback for USC. Just about any college quarterback would love to have posted these kind of numbers.

While Booty certainly had a successful tenure as the team’s starting quarterback he did not have as strong as a supporting cast as Leinart did. Booty’s backfield was comprised of Chauncy Washington and C.J. Gable, not Heisman winner Reggie Bush and second round draft pick LenDale White.

After following two Heisman winners, anything less than a national championship and a Heisman Trophy in Heritage Hall would have deemed Booty a failure.

It’s pretty obvious that the Clippers had a rough 2008 season. Can they be the least be competitive next year?
–Matt K., Burbank, Calif.

Provided that they make a few minor tweaks this offseason and get healthy, it’s entirely possible that the Clippers could make the playoffs in 2009. The first priority must be to re-sign Elton Brand, who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, should he opt out of the last year of his deal. Brand won’t find more money elsewhere, but he will find teams with a better likelihood of winning. Provided they do resign Brand and add a quality point guard via the draft or free agency, the Clippers would have a pretty good starting five next season with Brand, Chris Kaman, Al Thornton, Corey Maggette, and a player like O.J. Mayo at point guard. Such a lineup would be more than capable of making a serious playoff run in the West, provided that the team does not suffer any major injuries.

What impact has Torii Hunter made on the Angels so far?
–Phelan, Minneapolis, Minn.

Torii Hunter was the big bat that was signed to protect Vladimir Guerrero, but after the first month of the season it may be reasonable to assume the Vladdy is actually protecting the former Minnesota Twin. As of May 2nd, Hunter has posted better numbers that Vlad with a .294 batting average, 4 home runs, 16 RBIs, and 16 Runs. His clutch hitting has fit right in with the Angels offensive philosophy of timely hitting and N.L. style of baseball. During an April 7th game against the Cleveland Indians, the Angels were trailing 4-2 during the ninth inning with the bases loaded. The confident Hunter walked up to the plate with ease and drilled a home run to deep left field, giving the Halos a 6-4 victory. His timely hitting has been witnessed on numerous occasions this season.

While he has certainly posted solid numbers at the dish, Hunter’s biggest impact has arguably been made in the outfield. During the ninth inning of an April 19th game against the Seattle Mariners, Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez threw a fastball that was crushed by Richie Sexson but Hunter was able to climb up on the outfield wall and rob Sexson of the potential game winnings home run. While the hitting was expected of Hunter, his acrobatic, game saving catches have truly made him worth $18 million per year.