Sez Me …

Moving vans are simple. They can mean two things: Coming or going.

In or out.

In this case, Philip Rivers, one of San Diego’s foremost citizens and population suppliers, has packed up his considerable family and scores of bolo ties and is going. Out.


He’s gone. Away. Never got the parade down Broadway he deserved.

What are we to make of this, and how will the accomplished quarterback of the San Diego Chargers-turned-Carson Judases/L.A. Lodgers be remembered?

It seems certain the quarterback’s detente with his only team, which unwisely left without his blessing, has ended. And, as if San Diego were Dodge, he’s getting the hell out of it.

Can’t blame him a bit. Whatever he wants to do is all right with me. He’s been terrific on and off the field. Mr. Available. Maybe the greatest talking QB — ever. Gamer. He’s always deserved the best.


But, now that he’s moved to what was his summer home on the Florida Panhandle — so near to his beloved Alabama, where he always vowed to return one day to (like his dad) coach prep football — will he get the “best” in his athletic dotage?

He’s certainly not hopping into a converted van every morning and motoring to the Costa Mesa Lima Bean Farm. He can’t win with the Lodgers, anyway.

A free agent at 38, Philip says he wants to continue playing, but I can’t believe, at his age, he will go to a team with no chance at a title. Tampa Bay is a big rumor, but he’s not getting jewelry there. The Bucs would be foolish to lose Jameis Winston, mercurial as he might be.

Tennessee could work. The Titans are good, but will they rid themselves of Ryan Tannehill, coming off a good season? Will they hold on to Derrick Henry? Rivers had more weapons with the J’s than Ryan did in Nashville, and Philip didn’t accomplish squat with what he had.


New England? Tom Brady may be gone and, while they may not be loaded with skill, always have a puncher’s chance. The Raiders? Jon Gruden loves Rivers, and he doesn’t swap Valentines with Derek Carr, but Vegas isn’t ready yet. Carolina? Is Cam Newton done? Can the Panthers win?

Bad teams are drafting quarterbacks and aren’t getting rings with Rivers as a bridge.

Philip can’t be doing it for place and show anymore. He sure doesn’t need the money.

His quarterback clock is ticking like mad. He needs a Super Bowl. It’s almost impossible to see where he’s going to find one — as a starter.


And he ain’t no scrub. ...

Did Jughead Manning make the right decision dissing San Diego for New York? Maybe. He won two Super Bowls. But Rivers, even without rings, is and has been a better QB than Eli. …

I’d love to see Mookie Betts in whatever unis the Padres are wearing, but a $27 million, one-year rental? Not my money, but the Pads have a terrible time separating the present from the future. …

Maybe Mookie’s worth it if they make the playoffs. But that IF is on steroids. …


Even without Mookie, don’t they win 125 games in 2021? ...

I laugh at those outraged Derek Jeter didn’t get 100 percent of the Hall of Fame vote. Where was the outrage with Mays, Ruth, Aaron, well, you know. This guy was nowhere near what they were. …

Jeter, a terrific player, definitely belongs, but he is, without question, the most overrated ballplayer of my lifetime. …

This, from Bob Cluck (San Diego High, SDSU, MLB pitcher/pitching coach, longtime scout, friend): “1992 draft. We (Astros) are sitting in the draft room. We have the No. 1 pick (overall). We are taking Jeter. Scout (and Hall of Fame pitcher) Hal Newhouser is with Jeter and his family in his living room … $600,000 deal done. Fifteen minutes before the pick, (owner) John McMullen bursts into the room and says: “Ken Caminiti’s knees are shot; I want Phil Nevin.” We are all pissed, but we take Phil. And Hal, on the phone, says: “Is that right? (Expletive) you. I quit.’” …


If the Baseball Hall of Fame wants transparent ballots, that’s the fork. I’m a thick, overdone, old steak. Done. …

The L.A. City Council has adopted a resolution asking MLB to give the 2017 World Series trophy to its rightful winners, the Dodgers. Ham and Eggers to the stars. …

Get over it. Baseball ain’t handing this thing to losers. …

How could it happen? CheatStros went 0-4 at home in the 2019 World Series. …


Hall of Fame asks Houston for its trash cans. ...

Baseball players Mike Trout and Tim Tebow walk side-by-side through Fashion Valley. Which one gets recognized? …

Raheem Mostert has been cut more times than Caesar. …

Aaron Rodgers looked about as interested as a child in church during a long homily. …


The Las Vegas Strip will be closed to vehicles for three days during the NFL Draft. So traffic will move as normal. ...

Man In The Boat Overboard: The draft stage will be on the Bellagio fountain, and players will arrive on stage by watercraft. The lucky Judases/L.A. Lodgers picks will float out on the historic Spanos yacht, S.S. Minnow. ...

You go Dan Plante. …

Attention National Golf Media: For the last time. Torrey Pines is NOT “outside” of San Diego, its owner. And La Jolla is NOT a city. …


Farmers is the only sporting event with its own weather system. ...

Stink O’ The Week Sezment: Unwritten rules. Aren’t worth the paper they’re unwritten on. …

Born to be exceptional, and is: Alabama softball pitcher Montana Fouts. …

Padres are rethinking their Sunday unis. Fascinated by the new Space Force camos, which could get them the Martian walkup. …


Boise State should take a good look at its britches. Too big. …

Sixty years ago today, the NFL created the term “The Rest Is History.” Named Pete Rozelle commissioner. ...

There is no greater monument to our Ham & Eggers than the Sempra Energy building. …

After a 104-year battle of being allergic to himself, Mr. Peanut has passed. And that’s it, in a nutshell.

