Welp, you saw it here sports fans, Tilam and Thew correctly predicted Gwynn and Ripken into the MLB Hall of Fame. Pretty spot on with the rest of our discussion, with a few salient observations to make:
How the hell did Jose Canseco get 6 votes?
Come to think of it, how the FREAKING hell did Albert Belle get 19?!
Donnie Baseball got less than 10%, which is a surprise to me. I thought he'd get more, although if you miss by 10 votes or 100 votes, you still miss.
Goose Gossage didn't make it in, but he's only 20 votes shy...over time they will relent and he'll make it, and I believe deservedly so. But if Gossage gets in, why not Lee Smith?
Big Mac got less than 25% of the votes required - sad, in my opinion. Tim Kurkjian went on a rant on ESPN, stating many of the things we've said here about Mark McGwire. He started his rookie year off with 49 home runs, he's won a (2?) Gold Gloves at first base as a fielder, the man was a star from the beginning, he just got bigger. Does it turn 49 HR's into 70, being on 'roids? Maybe...IF he actually did them. I hope Big Mac gets in, but I'm a little disappointed at this juncture.
On the "haven't I beaten a dead horse enough?" front, an interesting article on the current state of Michelle Wie. I'm sure that if you read the article many of the statements they make will sound familiar...since I've penned many of them right here in this blog. No more outrage, no more rants against Wie, just the simple fact that at this point we are destroying the talent of a young athlete - in her mind and in the public's eye. I'd say that at this point, she's just a revenue/gate generator, people are just looking at her to fly high then crash and burn like Icarus. And that's sad, because she could, if focused on the proper sport, challenge the best, I'm fairly convinced of that.
And finally, in the blurred line between fantasy and reality, a scorpion stung a passenger on a United Airlines flight on the back of his right leg, just below the knee, then continued up that leg and down the other before getting him again in the shin. It wasn't what he was expecting on a flight from Chicago to Vermont...must have been one of those Blackhawks fans, they are particularly mean people...
1.10.2007
1.09.2007
Baseball HoF
Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn are in the Hall of Fame. McGuire garnered over the 5% needed to stay on the ballot, but, as expected, did not come close. Harold Baines was the only other rookie to receive 5% or more and remain on the ballot.
According to HoF watchers, next year is a "thin" year; offering guys on the cusp their best shot at admission.
According to HoF watchers, next year is a "thin" year; offering guys on the cusp their best shot at admission.
U-Con
I have been silent about the UConn Huskies, but I can't simply whistle past the graveyard. While I would like to write, "They Suck" or some such, that would be wrong. They do not suck, in fact, they are very good.
But they are leaderless and soulless right now. There is no Rip Hamilton or Ben Gordon or even a Rashad Anderson or Denham Brown to look for leadership. While this is not unique in today's college game (Duke is suffering the same problem), it is particularly acute in UConn's case.
Coupled with Calhoun's soft scheduling in November and December, this is a team that will have to mature late, if at all. They have Marquette (who humiliated them last year), St. John's at MSG and then Pittsburgh at Pitt. This stretch will go along way to determine NCAA or NIT.
Finally, I just look at UNC and wonder how anyone will knock them off with Tyler Hansbrough? It is certainly possible as Gonzaga showed, but they are the team to beat this year.
But they are leaderless and soulless right now. There is no Rip Hamilton or Ben Gordon or even a Rashad Anderson or Denham Brown to look for leadership. While this is not unique in today's college game (Duke is suffering the same problem), it is particularly acute in UConn's case.
Coupled with Calhoun's soft scheduling in November and December, this is a team that will have to mature late, if at all. They have Marquette (who humiliated them last year), St. John's at MSG and then Pittsburgh at Pitt. This stretch will go along way to determine NCAA or NIT.
Finally, I just look at UNC and wonder how anyone will knock them off with Tyler Hansbrough? It is certainly possible as Gonzaga showed, but they are the team to beat this year.
Greators!
I can't say that I am surprised, though I did not have the balls to predict it. Like the basketball team last spring, Florida "snuck" up on the world and took home a Championship. Now, there is no shortage of adulation.
I will say that until the Michigan/USC game, I felt that OSU was the favorite. The Michigan game exposed the top part of the Big Ten as mostly hype. Yes, they beat Texas early, but Texas was #2 based on the past not the present and ended up 10-3. Beating Michigan by 3 at home was not the win it seemed like at the time.
Florida's only loss was to a strong Auburn team. (Auburn had also beat LSU early in the season.) And given LSU's performance, maybe the SEC was disrespected a bit. Of course, looking at Jeff Saragin's conference rankings, the SEC was the top ranked conference while the Big Ten ranked 5th.
All this just SCREAMS for a play-off. Sure, you will still get complaints from the last team left off the 8 or 10 team playoff list, but the BSC ranking system is just a piece of junk. Further, each team had nearly a month lay-off prior. How does that promote the best game? Was Troy Smith a bit rusty? Would he have played better if he had to face Louisville or California in the prior weeks?
Just asking...
I will say that until the Michigan/USC game, I felt that OSU was the favorite. The Michigan game exposed the top part of the Big Ten as mostly hype. Yes, they beat Texas early, but Texas was #2 based on the past not the present and ended up 10-3. Beating Michigan by 3 at home was not the win it seemed like at the time.
Florida's only loss was to a strong Auburn team. (Auburn had also beat LSU early in the season.) And given LSU's performance, maybe the SEC was disrespected a bit. Of course, looking at Jeff Saragin's conference rankings, the SEC was the top ranked conference while the Big Ten ranked 5th.
All this just SCREAMS for a play-off. Sure, you will still get complaints from the last team left off the 8 or 10 team playoff list, but the BSC ranking system is just a piece of junk. Further, each team had nearly a month lay-off prior. How does that promote the best game? Was Troy Smith a bit rusty? Would he have played better if he had to face Louisville or California in the prior weeks?
Just asking...
1.08.2007
I can go OH-FER and still hit .500!
It's gonna be an interesting next playoff round, that's for sure. Especially since I don't agree with Tilam on a few of his choices...
Ravens over Colts by 10 points. The Ravens are just too good, the Colts blew their load against the Chiefs.
I like the 'Hawks over da Bears. Rex Grossman just isn't the QB to take the bears to the promised land, they don't score enough points, and although their defense is pretty damm good, losing 13-6 will be their ultimate fate.
Drew Brees is the real deal, Jeff Garcia's midnight cinderella clock just chimed. Saints 27-17.
And I'm not a member of the "rookies can't win playoff games" club. Rivers will lead the Bolts over the Pats 24-17.
That's it for now, more when I get a chance to take a deep breath...
Ravens over Colts by 10 points. The Ravens are just too good, the Colts blew their load against the Chiefs.
I like the 'Hawks over da Bears. Rex Grossman just isn't the QB to take the bears to the promised land, they don't score enough points, and although their defense is pretty damm good, losing 13-6 will be their ultimate fate.
Drew Brees is the real deal, Jeff Garcia's midnight cinderella clock just chimed. Saints 27-17.
And I'm not a member of the "rookies can't win playoff games" club. Rivers will lead the Bolts over the Pats 24-17.
That's it for now, more when I get a chance to take a deep breath...
Islamic History
Since Thew professed interest in my post on the founding struggles of Islam, I would point to Peter Wehner's review of the historical emergence of radical Islam over at Real Clear Politics.
The only point I would niggle about is that I was taught that the seeds of the Shiite/Sunni struggle occurred with the Umayyad takeover of the Caliphate. While the death of Ali was the result of a planned multiple assassination (including Muawiyah and Amr) by Islamic radicals, the other men survived and both happened to be bitter enemies of Ali. Muawiyah was very quick to take over the Caliphate as the first of the Umayyad Caliphs and then high-tailed it to Damascus to establish the throne.
Sound fishy to you? Under the Tilam view of Islam, the Battle of Karbala was open confrontation of arms, but the divergence of Shiites and Sunnies occurred nearly 20 years prior.
The only point I would niggle about is that I was taught that the seeds of the Shiite/Sunni struggle occurred with the Umayyad takeover of the Caliphate. While the death of Ali was the result of a planned multiple assassination (including Muawiyah and Amr) by Islamic radicals, the other men survived and both happened to be bitter enemies of Ali. Muawiyah was very quick to take over the Caliphate as the first of the Umayyad Caliphs and then high-tailed it to Damascus to establish the throne.
Sound fishy to you? Under the Tilam view of Islam, the Battle of Karbala was open confrontation of arms, but the divergence of Shiites and Sunnies occurred nearly 20 years prior.
Playoff Prediction Recap (or Don't Quit Your Day Job)
I basically batted .500 this past weekend. The Pats/Jets game was higher scoring then I expected, but what the hell happened to the Chiefs? They really looked like they didn't belong. Of course, the Colts looked like crap too, but in comparison to the Chiefs, they were a rock.
Tony Romo played like Perry for one play and lost the game for the Cowboys. And the Iggles did win, though the game was much better (and closer) then I expected.
Hat's off to Thew, who went 4 for 4 for his weekend picks.
Give me a couple of days to ruminate, but my first cut at next weekend games are:
Pats over Bolts
Ravens over Colts
Bears over 'Hawks
Eagles over Saints
I am going with the "rookie QBs lose playoff games no matter how good they are during the season." But the only win I am confident in is the Ravens. LT may give NE fits, though the Pats have the 5th best run defense in the NFL. The 'Hawks and Bears will be a"who is going to lose it" game. I think the Iggles have an experience edge over the Saints; Garcia seems to be able to pull off the victory whether its pretty or ugly.
Tony Romo played like Perry for one play and lost the game for the Cowboys. And the Iggles did win, though the game was much better (and closer) then I expected.
Hat's off to Thew, who went 4 for 4 for his weekend picks.
Give me a couple of days to ruminate, but my first cut at next weekend games are:
Pats over Bolts
Ravens over Colts
Bears over 'Hawks
Eagles over Saints
I am going with the "rookie QBs lose playoff games no matter how good they are during the season." But the only win I am confident in is the Ravens. LT may give NE fits, though the Pats have the 5th best run defense in the NFL. The 'Hawks and Bears will be a"who is going to lose it" game. I think the Iggles have an experience edge over the Saints; Garcia seems to be able to pull off the victory whether its pretty or ugly.
1.05.2007
Here's to swimmin with bowl legged wimmen...
Nice, a rocket scientist as an NFL cheerleader! Though truthfully, I'd prefer that she were an English major, cuz then she'd be able to better help me with my Longfellow! However, a HUGE distinction must be made here - even though her degree is in aerospace engineering, her JOB is "assistant project manager", which you KNOW means "gopher". Although frankly, if she were to gopher MY gusto, I'd be more than happy to interface with her system and provide the proper trajectory!
But ultimately, I have some other ladies that can compete with her for MENSA membership:
Janette has a degree in nursing, not a cakewalk discipline...
Stephanie Graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of St. Thomas with a B.A. degree in Psychology and a B.S. degree in Business Economics
Shanna is a United States Air Force – Integrated Avionics Technician
To name a few...
But ultimately, I have some other ladies that can compete with her for MENSA membership:
Janette has a degree in nursing, not a cakewalk discipline...
Stephanie Graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of St. Thomas with a B.A. degree in Psychology and a B.S. degree in Business Economics
Shanna is a United States Air Force – Integrated Avionics Technician
To name a few...
1.04.2007
Comeback to Thew's Musings
Good to read some Thew-zings. My thoughts on his topics.
NFL: Iggles over the G-men. Big 30-7. The Giants' front line will not be able to consistently stop the Eagles pressure and Manning is AW-Fucking-FUL under pressure.
Romo stops playing like Como (Perry, that is) and the 'Boys win. It helps the Seahawks were one of the most inconsistent teams this year. 24-10.
Chiefs win (24-20) and Pats win (17-6). In other NY news, Eric Magenious becomes a NYC demi-god, while Conklin gets canned.
In other NFL news, she is a rocket scientist and Houston Texan cheerleader. (Insert lame joke about sending your rocket into orbit.)
NHL: I would LOVE to see Buffalo win it all. There, my expertise is done.
MLB: The fact that Randy Johnson is up for trade shows there is hope for the Bombers in 2007. I agree with Thew: Johnson was just not right for NYC. Neither was Zito, BTW. Get some farm talent and bring them up. (But I hear Jeff Weaver is still available!)
NCAAF: Nick Saban is going to Alabama after swearing to high heaven it was not going to happen. Pat Forde goes NUTS! Pat...relax. Saban could have been telling the truth...right up until he heard $32 million over 8 years guaranteed minimum. He is also rumored to have told Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga that if Huizenga wanted him to stay, Saban would.
And read Shula's comments...Don does not look much better. Let's face it: Saban is no Belichek or Mangini or Dungy or Jim Mora for God's sake. The Fish will be better off long term without him.
Charlie Weis has done a great job at ND, but he is not done yet. They were a Top 20 team, but not a Top 10 team. But what about JaMarcus Russell? Holy Crap can that kid throw the ball. I watched the game with my Dad and we both were pulling for ND, but Russell was really impressive and has a big time pro career ahead of him. If Russell jumps early to the NFL, Detroit would be wise to pick him up with the second pick.
NCAAB: I had a lunch meeting today in Newton, MA at the Marriott. While there, I ran into the FSU Lady Seminoles Basketball team in the lobby. (They play BC tonight.) Let me tell you that 6' 3" just seems bigger on a woman then it does on a man. No disrespect intended. Good luck, girls.
Iraq: No tears for Hussein here and if the execution was imperfect...fine. Iraq is imperfect right now. Longer post on Iraq will be forthcoming.
Democrats: For six years they have been the sand in the wheels of government, now they have to govern. Initial indications are not promising - hiking minimum wage puts people out of work; mandating drug prices keeps new drugs off the market; there are no good options to leave Iraq right now. And after campaigning on bi-partisanship, they immediately shut out Republicans from the debate. Pelosi = DeLay in a skirt is not an auspicious start.
NFL: Iggles over the G-men. Big 30-7. The Giants' front line will not be able to consistently stop the Eagles pressure and Manning is AW-Fucking-FUL under pressure.
Romo stops playing like Como (Perry, that is) and the 'Boys win. It helps the Seahawks were one of the most inconsistent teams this year. 24-10.
Chiefs win (24-20) and Pats win (17-6). In other NY news, Eric Magenious becomes a NYC demi-god, while Conklin gets canned.
In other NFL news, she is a rocket scientist and Houston Texan cheerleader. (Insert lame joke about sending your rocket into orbit.)NHL: I would LOVE to see Buffalo win it all. There, my expertise is done.
MLB: The fact that Randy Johnson is up for trade shows there is hope for the Bombers in 2007. I agree with Thew: Johnson was just not right for NYC. Neither was Zito, BTW. Get some farm talent and bring them up. (But I hear Jeff Weaver is still available!)
NCAAF: Nick Saban is going to Alabama after swearing to high heaven it was not going to happen. Pat Forde goes NUTS! Pat...relax. Saban could have been telling the truth...right up until he heard $32 million over 8 years guaranteed minimum. He is also rumored to have told Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga that if Huizenga wanted him to stay, Saban would.
And read Shula's comments...Don does not look much better. Let's face it: Saban is no Belichek or Mangini or Dungy or Jim Mora for God's sake. The Fish will be better off long term without him.
Charlie Weis has done a great job at ND, but he is not done yet. They were a Top 20 team, but not a Top 10 team. But what about JaMarcus Russell? Holy Crap can that kid throw the ball. I watched the game with my Dad and we both were pulling for ND, but Russell was really impressive and has a big time pro career ahead of him. If Russell jumps early to the NFL, Detroit would be wise to pick him up with the second pick.
NCAAB: I had a lunch meeting today in Newton, MA at the Marriott. While there, I ran into the FSU Lady Seminoles Basketball team in the lobby. (They play BC tonight.) Let me tell you that 6' 3" just seems bigger on a woman then it does on a man. No disrespect intended. Good luck, girls.
Iraq: No tears for Hussein here and if the execution was imperfect...fine. Iraq is imperfect right now. Longer post on Iraq will be forthcoming.
Democrats: For six years they have been the sand in the wheels of government, now they have to govern. Initial indications are not promising - hiking minimum wage puts people out of work; mandating drug prices keeps new drugs off the market; there are no good options to leave Iraq right now. And after campaigning on bi-partisanship, they immediately shut out Republicans from the debate. Pelosi = DeLay in a skirt is not an auspicious start.
Taking a deep breath for 2007
Happy New Year to you as well Tilam. Another year of backbiting, insulting, and demeaning on the horizon, and that's just in our households! I expect the kid gloves to be shed during 2007!
I didn't watch any of the college bowls, although I heard that Boise State pulled a tricky dicky move against Oklahoma that was pure highlight action. That is why I love the college game more than the pro game, especially with regards to basketball...they play for glory and the win, not just for the money. Nothing makes an athlete hungry like a trophy - once they get the fat contracts, they tank it for show. But this is much more prevelant in the NBA rather than the NFL, but I still find the purity of the college game more exciting...that being said, WTF happened to Notre Dame? They got "palindromed", which is another word for scoring the reverse numbers of their opponents in points - 41-14. Charlie Weis, remember that in a way the college game is still like the pros - having a nice regular season is a plus, but if you have a good record but get blown out in a bowl game, it's a total loss.
NFL
WOW, look who's at the top of the supposed power rankings, the Chargers. Philip Rivers is the real deal in San Diego, and LT is making it look easy. Other than that, I have gotten thoroughly confused by the NFL. Other than the surety that my Vikings suck bullnuts, all the others teams are, as Tilam suggest, an enigma. The Colts once again are experiencing late season armor chinks, what happened to da Bears, and other pertinent questions abound...
G-men vs Philly: The Giants are on a 2-6 slide and the Eagles are playing quality football right now with Jeff Garcia (yes, THAT Jeff Garcia) at the QB position. Eagles 27-14
'Boys vs Seattle: Similar situation with the Cowboys on a losing streak and the 'Hawks playing well lately. You've got to go with the girl who's strutting her stuff right now - Seahawks 24-14
Colts - Chiefs: LT is the league MVP hands down, P-Man and the Colts are 2-3 in their last five games. Not to mention that the Colts defense kinda sux right now - they are 21st in the league and LAST in run defense. Not a good match up for Tony Dungy. BUT, I think he's going to pull this one out, the Colts' D is going to show and slow LT. This is my "against the grain" pick. Colts 28-24
Jets - Pats: Chad Pennington is the Comeback PotY in the NFL, but the Jets had NO expectations of making the playoffs at the beginning of the year, I think they are just happy to be there. Pats 24-10
NHL
In the "no way do I want to be a supervisor anymore" department, Chris Chelios was visibly shaken and upset that 2 of the employees of his Cheli's Chili bar in Detroit were stabbed to death by a former employee who was let go very recently. He faces life without parole - I wonder if being unemployed and looking for a job is a worse fate than being bent over a steel spring mattress with a largely endowed inmate teaching you the term "anal retentive". Oh well, he'll find out soon enough...
Anaheim and Buffalo, the 2 best teams in the conferences, have been showing a let down as of late, but don't be fooled folks, they are destined to meet for the Cup. And I give the edge to the Sabres at this point.
Penguins to Kansas City? KC is rolling out a major welcome mat for 'em, I bet this gets done.
MLB
The Yankees are still exploring a trade for Randy Johnson - it appears that the D-backs are interested in bringing him back to Arizona. I'm going to be sorry to see him go, I think he still did very well in NY despite the pressure - well, but not lights out like people expect, but don't over look the fact that he won 17 games BOTH seasons he was with the Yankees. The bad part is that on some of the "higher profile" games (read: against Red Sox) he was lit up like a Christmas tree, and his post-season performance was sub-par. That will ultimately spell his exit from NY. Too bad.
On a more interesting note, a company that uses computer imaging claims baseballs had a larger rubberized core and a synthetic rubber ring in 1998, including the ball Mark McGwire hit for his 70th homer. The company tested 35 or so baseballs made by Rawlings, and "the evidence shows his ball (the 70th HR ball hit by Big Mac) -- under the governing body of the league -- was juiced." So the BIG question is "does this evidence, disputed by MLB's COO, reduce the significant question of Mark McGwire and steroids"? If the balls were juiced, who cares if Big Mac was, they will still fly farther...stay tuned for more of this drivel. One other note: the dispute from the COO says "Beginning in 2000, we have had annual independent testing done by UMass at Lowell, baseball research center, under the direction of Dr. James Sherwood, and those tests have showed full compliance with standards". But it doesn't say anything about the balls used in 1998...
NBA...nevermind.
World News
I have to admit, I'm in the "who gives a shit" about the outcry over the Saddam Hussein video. I am somewhat disgusted by the fact that some asshole filmed it with his camera phone, believing he might get money or fame because of it. But that is the opportunistic nature of humans today with the advent of youtube and google video.
HOWEVER, the fact that Hussein got taunted and didn't die in a completely dignified manner really doesn't affect me that much. I highly doubt that HIS victims got much better treatment - those many he had hanged for "crimes" and I bet he didn't lose any sleep over those Kurds he gassed. Karma. Quid pro quo. Do unto others... Sorry, no sympathy there for him...
Interesting that the Democrats are taking control of both sides of Congress today. They sure talk a tough game; imposing a ban on gifts from lobbyists and a clampdown on travel funded by private interests (in response to Republican scandals recently), voting next week to raise the federal minimum wage, increase federal support for stem cell research and allowing the government to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices on prescription drugs for Medicare recipients. Not to mention challenging the president to end the war in Iraq. I don't know much about Harry Reid (taking the reins of the Senate) and Nancy Pelosi, tabbed as the most likely to ascend to speaker (and the first woman), I will let Tilam speak to them. Although Reid makes a funny statement, saying that "politics has prevented progress on many of those front running issues for too many years." HeHe. And I'm sure he wasn't one of those politicians?
Bush also claims that he has a 5 year plan for balancing the budget. What a shrewd move on the part of the Republicans - should the Dems win the Oval Office in 2008, the GOP can fully blame them if the budget doesn't balance, stating that Bush's plan would have done it had they just followed the steps. Political poison pill, if you ask me.
And a final quote from John McCain..."We forgot why we came to Washington. We lost our way, we got engaged in earmarking and pork barrel projects, and we valued power over principle and we paid a heavy price for it." Isn't this descriptive of all of our elected officials in Washington? :P
I didn't watch any of the college bowls, although I heard that Boise State pulled a tricky dicky move against Oklahoma that was pure highlight action. That is why I love the college game more than the pro game, especially with regards to basketball...they play for glory and the win, not just for the money. Nothing makes an athlete hungry like a trophy - once they get the fat contracts, they tank it for show. But this is much more prevelant in the NBA rather than the NFL, but I still find the purity of the college game more exciting...that being said, WTF happened to Notre Dame? They got "palindromed", which is another word for scoring the reverse numbers of their opponents in points - 41-14. Charlie Weis, remember that in a way the college game is still like the pros - having a nice regular season is a plus, but if you have a good record but get blown out in a bowl game, it's a total loss.
NFL
WOW, look who's at the top of the supposed power rankings, the Chargers. Philip Rivers is the real deal in San Diego, and LT is making it look easy. Other than that, I have gotten thoroughly confused by the NFL. Other than the surety that my Vikings suck bullnuts, all the others teams are, as Tilam suggest, an enigma. The Colts once again are experiencing late season armor chinks, what happened to da Bears, and other pertinent questions abound...
G-men vs Philly: The Giants are on a 2-6 slide and the Eagles are playing quality football right now with Jeff Garcia (yes, THAT Jeff Garcia) at the QB position. Eagles 27-14
'Boys vs Seattle: Similar situation with the Cowboys on a losing streak and the 'Hawks playing well lately. You've got to go with the girl who's strutting her stuff right now - Seahawks 24-14
Colts - Chiefs: LT is the league MVP hands down, P-Man and the Colts are 2-3 in their last five games. Not to mention that the Colts defense kinda sux right now - they are 21st in the league and LAST in run defense. Not a good match up for Tony Dungy. BUT, I think he's going to pull this one out, the Colts' D is going to show and slow LT. This is my "against the grain" pick. Colts 28-24
Jets - Pats: Chad Pennington is the Comeback PotY in the NFL, but the Jets had NO expectations of making the playoffs at the beginning of the year, I think they are just happy to be there. Pats 24-10
NHL
In the "no way do I want to be a supervisor anymore" department, Chris Chelios was visibly shaken and upset that 2 of the employees of his Cheli's Chili bar in Detroit were stabbed to death by a former employee who was let go very recently. He faces life without parole - I wonder if being unemployed and looking for a job is a worse fate than being bent over a steel spring mattress with a largely endowed inmate teaching you the term "anal retentive". Oh well, he'll find out soon enough...
Anaheim and Buffalo, the 2 best teams in the conferences, have been showing a let down as of late, but don't be fooled folks, they are destined to meet for the Cup. And I give the edge to the Sabres at this point.
Penguins to Kansas City? KC is rolling out a major welcome mat for 'em, I bet this gets done.
MLB
The Yankees are still exploring a trade for Randy Johnson - it appears that the D-backs are interested in bringing him back to Arizona. I'm going to be sorry to see him go, I think he still did very well in NY despite the pressure - well, but not lights out like people expect, but don't over look the fact that he won 17 games BOTH seasons he was with the Yankees. The bad part is that on some of the "higher profile" games (read: against Red Sox) he was lit up like a Christmas tree, and his post-season performance was sub-par. That will ultimately spell his exit from NY. Too bad.
On a more interesting note, a company that uses computer imaging claims baseballs had a larger rubberized core and a synthetic rubber ring in 1998, including the ball Mark McGwire hit for his 70th homer. The company tested 35 or so baseballs made by Rawlings, and "the evidence shows his ball (the 70th HR ball hit by Big Mac) -- under the governing body of the league -- was juiced." So the BIG question is "does this evidence, disputed by MLB's COO, reduce the significant question of Mark McGwire and steroids"? If the balls were juiced, who cares if Big Mac was, they will still fly farther...stay tuned for more of this drivel. One other note: the dispute from the COO says "Beginning in 2000, we have had annual independent testing done by UMass at Lowell, baseball research center, under the direction of Dr. James Sherwood, and those tests have showed full compliance with standards". But it doesn't say anything about the balls used in 1998...
NBA...nevermind.
World News
I have to admit, I'm in the "who gives a shit" about the outcry over the Saddam Hussein video. I am somewhat disgusted by the fact that some asshole filmed it with his camera phone, believing he might get money or fame because of it. But that is the opportunistic nature of humans today with the advent of youtube and google video.
HOWEVER, the fact that Hussein got taunted and didn't die in a completely dignified manner really doesn't affect me that much. I highly doubt that HIS victims got much better treatment - those many he had hanged for "crimes" and I bet he didn't lose any sleep over those Kurds he gassed. Karma. Quid pro quo. Do unto others... Sorry, no sympathy there for him...
Interesting that the Democrats are taking control of both sides of Congress today. They sure talk a tough game; imposing a ban on gifts from lobbyists and a clampdown on travel funded by private interests (in response to Republican scandals recently), voting next week to raise the federal minimum wage, increase federal support for stem cell research and allowing the government to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices on prescription drugs for Medicare recipients. Not to mention challenging the president to end the war in Iraq. I don't know much about Harry Reid (taking the reins of the Senate) and Nancy Pelosi, tabbed as the most likely to ascend to speaker (and the first woman), I will let Tilam speak to them. Although Reid makes a funny statement, saying that "politics has prevented progress on many of those front running issues for too many years." HeHe. And I'm sure he wasn't one of those politicians?
Bush also claims that he has a 5 year plan for balancing the budget. What a shrewd move on the part of the Republicans - should the Dems win the Oval Office in 2008, the GOP can fully blame them if the budget doesn't balance, stating that Bush's plan would have done it had they just followed the steps. Political poison pill, if you ask me.
And a final quote from John McCain..."We forgot why we came to Washington. We lost our way, we got engaged in earmarking and pork barrel projects, and we valued power over principle and we paid a heavy price for it." Isn't this descriptive of all of our elected officials in Washington? :P
1.02.2007
Bowl Games
First off: Happy New Year, Thew!
Second, I really like several of the Bowls games this past weekend. My favorite was the USC-Michigan game. I admit to have been rooting for Michigan, but I was won over by the USC team. Both QBs played very well and both have great pro careers ahead of them. Freakin' Henne throws ropes and nothin' but ropes. Booty was even more impressive and made the Wolverine secondary look bad.
The difference IMHO was the USC rush, which put alot more pressure on Henne. Frankly, I was surprised because Ohio State in their victory over UM, did not put as much pressure on Henne as USC did. Henne still had a 92.4 QB rating. But Booty had a 162 QB rating against (what I thought was) a very good Michigan defense. Hats off to the USC defense.
The Outback (PSU v. Tennessee) and the Capital One (Wisconsin v. Arkansas) were also entertaining. I did not see the Fiesta Bowl and am damn sorry I didn't.
In summary, after an exasperating year in the NFL where it seems team fell over themselves to lose when they needed to win, the NCAA comes through with some real entertainment.
Second, I really like several of the Bowls games this past weekend. My favorite was the USC-Michigan game. I admit to have been rooting for Michigan, but I was won over by the USC team. Both QBs played very well and both have great pro careers ahead of them. Freakin' Henne throws ropes and nothin' but ropes. Booty was even more impressive and made the Wolverine secondary look bad.
The difference IMHO was the USC rush, which put alot more pressure on Henne. Frankly, I was surprised because Ohio State in their victory over UM, did not put as much pressure on Henne as USC did. Henne still had a 92.4 QB rating. But Booty had a 162 QB rating against (what I thought was) a very good Michigan defense. Hats off to the USC defense.
The Outback (PSU v. Tennessee) and the Capital One (Wisconsin v. Arkansas) were also entertaining. I did not see the Fiesta Bowl and am damn sorry I didn't.
In summary, after an exasperating year in the NFL where it seems team fell over themselves to lose when they needed to win, the NCAA comes through with some real entertainment.
12.29.2006
The Answers Are...
1. Yes, with the overwhelming support of the black community. But he is likely to be forced out.
2. Nothing as far as I know, but she is having a baby.
3. It is futile!
2. Nothing as far as I know, but she is having a baby.
3. It is futile!
...and justice for all
Opening Question: Did Mike Nifong actually win the election?
Second Question: How much money did the little ghetto trollop make during the course of this investigation?
Third Question: How can I argue with Tilam when he makes such excellent points?
Second Question: How much money did the little ghetto trollop make during the course of this investigation?
Third Question: How can I argue with Tilam when he makes such excellent points?
The Duke Lacrosse Hoax
The card house is collapsing. The rape charges have been dropped by the DA's office against the Duke lacrosse players, but inexplicably, the sexual assault and kidnapping charges remain. I figure those will be dropped soon enough (but too late for these young men).
Further, the NC State Bar has brought an ethics complaint against the DA Mike Nifong. (As always, KC Johnson has all the deets.) This is an extraordinary move in the middle of this case. After all the "these white kids are GUILTY" rhetoric coming from the prosecution and the black community, to have the state bar say that the DA's conduct amounted to "dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation" further prejudices any jury pool.
As for the DA, he is done. Butter him up 'cause he is toast. He will have to cut a deal not to get disbarred. And he won't be able to get a job flippin' burgers in Durham.
I say, "Great!"
The justice system in this country is too beholden to politics and personal vendettas. There is no "sniff test" to prevent frivolous lawsuits in this country. In an instance where I was sued for settlement money, the judge noted for the record that she did not believe that the plaintiff had "any likelihood of prevailing on the merits." Okay...so why is this farce allowed to continue?
Mike Nifong brought this case to win an election. He has destroyed several years of these young men's lives. Sure, the charges will be dropped, but to paraphrase Ray Donovan, "where do they go to get their reputations back?"
Further, the NC State Bar has brought an ethics complaint against the DA Mike Nifong. (As always, KC Johnson has all the deets.) This is an extraordinary move in the middle of this case. After all the "these white kids are GUILTY" rhetoric coming from the prosecution and the black community, to have the state bar say that the DA's conduct amounted to "dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation" further prejudices any jury pool.
As for the DA, he is done. Butter him up 'cause he is toast. He will have to cut a deal not to get disbarred. And he won't be able to get a job flippin' burgers in Durham.
I say, "Great!"
The justice system in this country is too beholden to politics and personal vendettas. There is no "sniff test" to prevent frivolous lawsuits in this country. In an instance where I was sued for settlement money, the judge noted for the record that she did not believe that the plaintiff had "any likelihood of prevailing on the merits." Okay...so why is this farce allowed to continue?
Mike Nifong brought this case to win an election. He has destroyed several years of these young men's lives. Sure, the charges will be dropped, but to paraphrase Ray Donovan, "where do they go to get their reputations back?"
12.28.2006
Vick's Vapor Rub
Two quick comments on Michael Vick.
First, he is a very good QB and a very good running back...he is not "great" at either. Being very good will take you to modest winning season, but will not win you a Super Bowl. Hotlanta is a nutty sports town and its obsession with Vick and his almost winning ways is not unique. Witness the Braves.
Second, will Vince Young be Michael Vick 2.0? With The Young/Vick model of QB, the offense becomes increasingly complex to run effectively. The offensive linemen are never quite sure where the QB will be (pocket? what pocket?) and the receivers are often in a difficult position to effectively block for a QB run. Not impossible, but hard.
First, he is a very good QB and a very good running back...he is not "great" at either. Being very good will take you to modest winning season, but will not win you a Super Bowl. Hotlanta is a nutty sports town and its obsession with Vick and his almost winning ways is not unique. Witness the Braves.
Second, will Vince Young be Michael Vick 2.0? With The Young/Vick model of QB, the offense becomes increasingly complex to run effectively. The offensive linemen are never quite sure where the QB will be (pocket? what pocket?) and the receivers are often in a difficult position to effectively block for a QB run. Not impossible, but hard.
12.25.2006
Wake up and smell the coffee!
I used to live in Atlanta. Those football fans have such a hard-on for Michael Vick it's pathetic. The prototype of the athletic quarterback. The mold of the future...
GET A FRIKKIN GRIP. Vick is a gifted athlete, but that's all he is. He's not a quarterback. Sure he can gun the ball, but his accuracy and touch are nominal at best. Sure he can run, but he can't pass, and most of all, he can't lead the Falcons to the promised land. Everyone is all agog over the fact that he's the first quarterback to run for over 1000 yards in a season; but HELLO ATLANTA, your precious team is 7-8 and definitely on the OUTSIDE looking in on the playoff picture. You can brag about Vick's athleticism and such, but you have nothing to show for it...
God, this inane hero worship...
GET A FRIKKIN GRIP. Vick is a gifted athlete, but that's all he is. He's not a quarterback. Sure he can gun the ball, but his accuracy and touch are nominal at best. Sure he can run, but he can't pass, and most of all, he can't lead the Falcons to the promised land. Everyone is all agog over the fact that he's the first quarterback to run for over 1000 yards in a season; but HELLO ATLANTA, your precious team is 7-8 and definitely on the OUTSIDE looking in on the playoff picture. You can brag about Vick's athleticism and such, but you have nothing to show for it...
God, this inane hero worship...
12.21.2006
Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus
By Francis P. Church, first published in The New York Sun in 1897.
We take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:
Dear Editor—
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus
-Virginia O’Hanlon
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
***
Merry Christmas.
12.20.2006
A Top 2 - 6 List
Mrs. Tilam ranks as the #1 beautiful woman in the world to moi. (Does being captain of the cheerleading squad count as an athlete?) But in response to Thew's DETAILED post, I offer my current numbers 2 - 6.
#2
Diane Lane
#3
Melissa Theuriau
#4
Alessandra Ambrosio
#5
Kate Beckinsale
#6
Petra Nemcova
My next post will address the sporting gals.
#2
Diane Lane
#3
Melissa Theuriau
#4
Alessandra Ambrosio
#5
Kate Beckinsale
#6
Petra Nemcova
My next post will address the sporting gals.
Babe watching...my second favorite pasttime!
Top 20 most beautiful athletes?
Well, let me start off first by saying my beautiful hoops playing/coaching wife, Mrs Thew, is tops. She's the champion. All the rest are just bench warmers.
And I will state my "top 5" of the current crop of hollywood hotties. Women I'd ask for a free weekend pass for from the wife (not that I'd get it, but it's fun to dream):
Jessica Biel
Kate Beckinsale
Jessica Alba
Jessica Simpson
Rebecca Romijn
Rachel Hunter gets an honorable mention, as does Diane Lane, Jodie Foster, and Rene Russo. Brangelina is no, Lohan is not even appealing to me in the least. Oh, and Sandra Bullock gets my "love to see her in a schoolgirl outfit" vote.
Now on the the MOTTS...
First my "WTF are they thinking?!"
Michelle Wie (you know she holds a special place in my heart)
Anastasia Myskina (bag her)
Marion Jones (she's more of a man than I am after all those steroids)
Daniela Hantuchova (clearly, someone has stolen her breasts and replaced them with...nothing)
Next my "yeah, little dim lighting and some mazola and I'm okay"
Lisa Leslie
Becky Hammon
Anna Rawson
Gretchen Bleiler
Alisa Camplin
Amy Acuff (if I can ever reach high enough to smooch her!)
Carrie Tollefson (hmm, bit on the emaciated side)
Maria Sharapova
Sasha Cohen
Lastly, my "spot on chap!"
Veronica Kay
Natalie Coughlin
Tara Dakides
Tanith Belbin
Malia Jones
Anna Kournikova
Gabriella Reece
And the list you've been waiting for...My Top 20!
Cory Everson
Jenny Finch
Katarina Witt
Summer Sanders
Natalie Coughlin
Tara Dakides
Natalie Gulbis
Malia Jones
Anna Kournikova
Gabriella Reece
Mia Finnegan
Danica Patrick
Stacey Dales (used to be Dales-Schulman, woo! she's avaiable)
Gabriella Sabatini
Stac Keibler (did you see her in "Dancing with the Stars"?)
Jan Stephenson
Carling Bassett (remember her? best canadian import since Hockey and Labatts)
Heather Mitts
Ah well, I could only come up with 18 - but I'm already running a fever!
TILAM?
Well, let me start off first by saying my beautiful hoops playing/coaching wife, Mrs Thew, is tops. She's the champion. All the rest are just bench warmers.
And I will state my "top 5" of the current crop of hollywood hotties. Women I'd ask for a free weekend pass for from the wife (not that I'd get it, but it's fun to dream):
Jessica Biel
Kate Beckinsale
Jessica Alba
Jessica Simpson
Rebecca Romijn
Rachel Hunter gets an honorable mention, as does Diane Lane, Jodie Foster, and Rene Russo. Brangelina is no, Lohan is not even appealing to me in the least. Oh, and Sandra Bullock gets my "love to see her in a schoolgirl outfit" vote.
Now on the the MOTTS...
First my "WTF are they thinking?!"
Michelle Wie (you know she holds a special place in my heart)
Anastasia Myskina (bag her)
Marion Jones (she's more of a man than I am after all those steroids)
Daniela Hantuchova (clearly, someone has stolen her breasts and replaced them with...nothing)
Next my "yeah, little dim lighting and some mazola and I'm okay"
Lisa Leslie
Becky Hammon
Anna Rawson
Gretchen Bleiler
Alisa Camplin
Amy Acuff (if I can ever reach high enough to smooch her!)
Carrie Tollefson (hmm, bit on the emaciated side)
Maria Sharapova
Sasha Cohen
Lastly, my "spot on chap!"
Veronica Kay
Natalie Coughlin
Tara Dakides
Tanith Belbin
Malia Jones
Anna Kournikova
Gabriella Reece
And the list you've been waiting for...My Top 20!
Cory Everson
Jenny Finch
Katarina Witt
Summer Sanders
Natalie Coughlin
Tara Dakides
Natalie Gulbis
Malia Jones
Anna Kournikova
Gabriella Reece
Mia Finnegan
Danica Patrick
Stacey Dales (used to be Dales-Schulman, woo! she's avaiable)
Gabriella Sabatini
Stac Keibler (did you see her in "Dancing with the Stars"?)
Jan Stephenson
Carling Bassett (remember her? best canadian import since Hockey and Labatts)
Heather Mitts
Ah well, I could only come up with 18 - but I'm already running a fever!
TILAM?
Around the Horn - Special Year End Edition
Last HoF comment. Jeff Bagwell just retired from the Astros. I would say he is a near lock for the HoF.
As usual, I will leave the NHL commentary to our resident Goon, Thew. My only point is that I think that hockey (like soccer) offers better player comparisons because of the relative stability of the game and equipment over the years. No major rule changes (ala the DH) and no big equipment changes (ala golf), so maybe it is more appropriate then in other sports. (I am not saying it IS, just moreso.)
The Nothin' But Assholes league. Too much said already.
In the MLB, there seems to be much smoke, but I am not sure how much fire. I am happy to see Pettitte back with the Bombers, but I am not sure how much he will bring to the table given his health problems. Suffice to say the Yankees-Red Sox will be fun again.
Bode Miller is back on top of the Skiing World Cup standings. I am not sure who cares, but it would be nice for this guy to turn his life around.
In soccer, you have got to like the efforts of Didier Drogba for Chelsea. In the consummate team sport, this guy seems to be carrying the team with clutch play and goals. Here is the Everton match review including Drogba's goal. Funny bit of commentary at the end concerning the "poor" defending. Balderdash! If Alan Stubbs, the Everton defender, pulls up tight, Drogba runs right by him. You don't play that tight at 35 yards. To call it a botched defense unfairly discredits the goal.
Finally, in the only important sports news, several SI swimsuit models offer their take on the 20 Best Looking Athletes male & female. I will say you can tell the panel were women, because I think they blew the female list. My challenge to Thew (which I will post on in the next day or two) is: Name Your Top 20.
Game On.
As usual, I will leave the NHL commentary to our resident Goon, Thew. My only point is that I think that hockey (like soccer) offers better player comparisons because of the relative stability of the game and equipment over the years. No major rule changes (ala the DH) and no big equipment changes (ala golf), so maybe it is more appropriate then in other sports. (I am not saying it IS, just moreso.)
The Nothin' But Assholes league. Too much said already.
In the MLB, there seems to be much smoke, but I am not sure how much fire. I am happy to see Pettitte back with the Bombers, but I am not sure how much he will bring to the table given his health problems. Suffice to say the Yankees-Red Sox will be fun again.
Bode Miller is back on top of the Skiing World Cup standings. I am not sure who cares, but it would be nice for this guy to turn his life around.
In soccer, you have got to like the efforts of Didier Drogba for Chelsea. In the consummate team sport, this guy seems to be carrying the team with clutch play and goals. Here is the Everton match review including Drogba's goal. Funny bit of commentary at the end concerning the "poor" defending. Balderdash! If Alan Stubbs, the Everton defender, pulls up tight, Drogba runs right by him. You don't play that tight at 35 yards. To call it a botched defense unfairly discredits the goal.
Finally, in the only important sports news, several SI swimsuit models offer their take on the 20 Best Looking Athletes male & female. I will say you can tell the panel were women, because I think they blew the female list. My challenge to Thew (which I will post on in the next day or two) is: Name Your Top 20.
Game On.
Always back with a vengeance...
Hall of Fame Discussions...
Big Mac, I think, needs to be in the Hall of Fame. The ONLY thing he's been identified as using was Andro (which I have used, btw, to a fair bit of success) - he has never been proven to have used steroids, and I think his record and accomplishments show his place in the HoF. 49 HRs as a rookie in 1988 is a good and solid start imo. But we've beaten this dead horse...
NHL - ESPN has this poll of "the greatest hockey line of all time". Well that's just stupid in my opinion. We talk about the greatest of all time in golf (Tiger v Jack), why are we getting into this in hockey too? It's just to feed the lame couch athletes who yap around the watercooler during morning coffee break. On the other hand, since I am one of those lame couch athletes, I will weigh in with my personal perference: the top line of hockey has to contain Wayne Gretzky, period. The greatest hockey player of all time cannot be denied his place on this list. I'm not sure how I can NOT include such unbelievably talented players like Adam Oates (a player who could find an open player even if he were in a coma), Stevie Yzerman (a player whose leadership and skill simply WILLED the Red Wings to a Stanley Cup), or Mark Messier (New York Rangers, 1994, playoff guarantee, subsequent hat trick), but I'm sorry, I do. On the Great One's elbow has to be Super Mario. His skill, size, speed, vision, and soft hands can label him as one of the greatest of all time, argument. I believe he was better 1 v 1 than Wayne, but Gretzky really made the players around him much better than Mario did (not that Mario didn't, don't get me wrong). On Wayne's other elbow really can only be the Flower, Guy Lafleur. It was he who owned many of the records that Wayne broke in his career...although if you said "hey stupid, put Mike Bossy in his place" I really couldn't argue. But I'll go with Lafleur-Gretzky-Lemieux. Aside from the above, I give major honorable mention to players such as Sergei Federov, Brett Hull (yes, Brett Hull, as pure a sniper as the game has ever seen), Ron Francis (did you know that he had more points in his career than Mario Lemieux?), Denis Savard, Marcel Dionne, Mr Hockey, Boom Boom Geoffrion, and Rocket Richard.
NBA - another image issue for the dumb ass thugs in the NBA. 'Melo goes berserk after Isiah Thomas orders a hard foul and is now suspended for 15 games, so now the NBA has lost it's poster child and leading scorer. What boggles Mrs Thew is how people still attend these games and corporations still advertise with this frikkin league...but as always, the almighty dollar forgives many transgressions. Why do people still give a shit about this sport? Stick to college, it's more pure and exciting...
MLB - here's a gem from the Bronx. Darryl Strawberry thinks the Yankees' clubhouse is beset by bad chemistry that can be cured only one way: Derek Jeter needs to "embrace" Alex Rodriguez. Hoo Hoo! That's beautiful coming from the Strawman. But I gotta say, if there is anyone who would know about "chemist-try" besides Doc Gooden and Bobby Brown, it's Darryl. I guess now DJ should hold it for A-Clod when he pees? Puhleeze. Quit coddling and babying A-Clod, he's the highest paid player in baseball, he needs to understand that in the Bronx, your regular season doesn't count for SHIT if you don't win the world series. For his performance in the post-season, A-Clod is the most overpaid player in the history of baseball. Well, maybe not the history, but he is way overpaid. This "touchy feely" bullshit is now spilling over from lazy parents to head case professional baseball players...sheesh. Plus, he really screwed up when he dissed DJ in an article in Esquire in 2001 - never forget that the feet you step on today might be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. Oh, and WELCOME BACK ANDY PETTITE...it's about freaking time you came home dumbass...
NFL - it's official, my Vikings SUCK. So Ladanian Tomlinson broke the single season touchdown record. Good for him. LT has been a star in this league for a while. And it's of note to realize that he's already rushed for 1600+ yards, so it's not like he's Jerome Bettis and has 20 TD's and 100 yards on the season. This guy in running wild.
Looks like T.O. spit on someone last weekend. Typical of T.O., he's just not satisfied leading the league in receiving touchdowns, he wants to stay in the limelight because of stupid shit, so he loses control and spits on DeAngelo Hall. Will this guy ever just go quietly into that good night?
Other than that, let's talk about world stuff...ah, screw it, Tilam's got that covered for now, I have nothing to add that would make us seem any more intelligent that we already do...
By the way, you didn't tell me I'd have to part the red sea to use the upgraded version of Blogger...
Big Mac, I think, needs to be in the Hall of Fame. The ONLY thing he's been identified as using was Andro (which I have used, btw, to a fair bit of success) - he has never been proven to have used steroids, and I think his record and accomplishments show his place in the HoF. 49 HRs as a rookie in 1988 is a good and solid start imo. But we've beaten this dead horse...
NHL - ESPN has this poll of "the greatest hockey line of all time". Well that's just stupid in my opinion. We talk about the greatest of all time in golf (Tiger v Jack), why are we getting into this in hockey too? It's just to feed the lame couch athletes who yap around the watercooler during morning coffee break. On the other hand, since I am one of those lame couch athletes, I will weigh in with my personal perference: the top line of hockey has to contain Wayne Gretzky, period. The greatest hockey player of all time cannot be denied his place on this list. I'm not sure how I can NOT include such unbelievably talented players like Adam Oates (a player who could find an open player even if he were in a coma), Stevie Yzerman (a player whose leadership and skill simply WILLED the Red Wings to a Stanley Cup), or Mark Messier (New York Rangers, 1994, playoff guarantee, subsequent hat trick), but I'm sorry, I do. On the Great One's elbow has to be Super Mario. His skill, size, speed, vision, and soft hands can label him as one of the greatest of all time, argument. I believe he was better 1 v 1 than Wayne, but Gretzky really made the players around him much better than Mario did (not that Mario didn't, don't get me wrong). On Wayne's other elbow really can only be the Flower, Guy Lafleur. It was he who owned many of the records that Wayne broke in his career...although if you said "hey stupid, put Mike Bossy in his place" I really couldn't argue. But I'll go with Lafleur-Gretzky-Lemieux. Aside from the above, I give major honorable mention to players such as Sergei Federov, Brett Hull (yes, Brett Hull, as pure a sniper as the game has ever seen), Ron Francis (did you know that he had more points in his career than Mario Lemieux?), Denis Savard, Marcel Dionne, Mr Hockey, Boom Boom Geoffrion, and Rocket Richard.
NBA - another image issue for the dumb ass thugs in the NBA. 'Melo goes berserk after Isiah Thomas orders a hard foul and is now suspended for 15 games, so now the NBA has lost it's poster child and leading scorer. What boggles Mrs Thew is how people still attend these games and corporations still advertise with this frikkin league...but as always, the almighty dollar forgives many transgressions. Why do people still give a shit about this sport? Stick to college, it's more pure and exciting...
MLB - here's a gem from the Bronx. Darryl Strawberry thinks the Yankees' clubhouse is beset by bad chemistry that can be cured only one way: Derek Jeter needs to "embrace" Alex Rodriguez. Hoo Hoo! That's beautiful coming from the Strawman. But I gotta say, if there is anyone who would know about "chemist-try" besides Doc Gooden and Bobby Brown, it's Darryl. I guess now DJ should hold it for A-Clod when he pees? Puhleeze. Quit coddling and babying A-Clod, he's the highest paid player in baseball, he needs to understand that in the Bronx, your regular season doesn't count for SHIT if you don't win the world series. For his performance in the post-season, A-Clod is the most overpaid player in the history of baseball. Well, maybe not the history, but he is way overpaid. This "touchy feely" bullshit is now spilling over from lazy parents to head case professional baseball players...sheesh. Plus, he really screwed up when he dissed DJ in an article in Esquire in 2001 - never forget that the feet you step on today might be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. Oh, and WELCOME BACK ANDY PETTITE...it's about freaking time you came home dumbass...
NFL - it's official, my Vikings SUCK. So Ladanian Tomlinson broke the single season touchdown record. Good for him. LT has been a star in this league for a while. And it's of note to realize that he's already rushed for 1600+ yards, so it's not like he's Jerome Bettis and has 20 TD's and 100 yards on the season. This guy in running wild.
Looks like T.O. spit on someone last weekend. Typical of T.O., he's just not satisfied leading the league in receiving touchdowns, he wants to stay in the limelight because of stupid shit, so he loses control and spits on DeAngelo Hall. Will this guy ever just go quietly into that good night?
Other than that, let's talk about world stuff...ah, screw it, Tilam's got that covered for now, I have nothing to add that would make us seem any more intelligent that we already do...
By the way, you didn't tell me I'd have to part the red sea to use the upgraded version of Blogger...
12.15.2006
Baseball HoF
Who I would like to see and who will get in are two different things.
I agree with Thew that Ripkin Jr. and Gwynn are shoo-ins. Top talent and good guys. I think Jim Rice is deserving, but will not make it, and that is probably the case with Alan Trammell (I would say he was a better Tiger then Morris). (Though I think Trammell makes it before Rice.)
Donny Baseball would, in a fair world, get in, but won't. And I am sad to see Steve Garvey miss the HoF train. Gossage and OH will get a look, but a brief one.
Now, for McGuire. I think he should make it. He was arguably the first "super slugger," but if the voters read the words "steroid slugger" instead, he loses. Unlike Bonds, McGuire was a big boy from the get-go and McGuire used a non-banned substance, so I think he should be fine.
Here is a question: are steroids different from a corked bat?
I agree with Thew that Ripkin Jr. and Gwynn are shoo-ins. Top talent and good guys. I think Jim Rice is deserving, but will not make it, and that is probably the case with Alan Trammell (I would say he was a better Tiger then Morris). (Though I think Trammell makes it before Rice.)
Donny Baseball would, in a fair world, get in, but won't. And I am sad to see Steve Garvey miss the HoF train. Gossage and OH will get a look, but a brief one.
Now, for McGuire. I think he should make it. He was arguably the first "super slugger," but if the voters read the words "steroid slugger" instead, he loses. Unlike Bonds, McGuire was a big boy from the get-go and McGuire used a non-banned substance, so I think he should be fine.
Here is a question: are steroids different from a corked bat?
12.14.2006
More Mid East Crap
I made a point last January that TIME magazine finally catches up with: Arabs do not give a rat's ass about the Palestinians. They use it as an excuse to distract the West from the Sunni/Shiite powerplay occurring in the region.
In 632, the Profit Mohammed died. The elders appointed Abu Bakr as his successor despite the protests of those who said the Profit appointed Ali ibn Abi Talib as his rightful successor. Ali finally became Caliph for 5 years from 656 to 661 and is known as the last of the "rightly guided caliphs." After Ali's assassination, and coincident with the rise of the Umayyad dynasty (Sunni), the Sunnis and the Shiites have been fight each other. And the have not stopped since.
Iraq is the latest battlefield in this centuries old war. The US is not the problem. The fighting won't stop because we leave. The "sectarian" violence that plagues that country has plagued Islam for 1,345 YEARS! Saudi Arabia (Sunni) will never allow Iran (Shiite) to dominate Iraq, so it funds the Sunni insurgency. Iran wants to dominate Iraq, so it fund the Shiite militias.
The solution is majority (Shiite) control with inalienable rights (and oil money) granted to Sunnis. The Iraqi Kurd and Saudis (Egyptians?) should be "persuaded" to be an honest broker in this process. There are some indications that the Saudis are waking up to the reality that if the US leaves, the Saudis' lives will become much, much more complicated.
Good. It is about time.
UPDATE: Diana West from the Washington Times: Let'em kill each other.
In 632, the Profit Mohammed died. The elders appointed Abu Bakr as his successor despite the protests of those who said the Profit appointed Ali ibn Abi Talib as his rightful successor. Ali finally became Caliph for 5 years from 656 to 661 and is known as the last of the "rightly guided caliphs." After Ali's assassination, and coincident with the rise of the Umayyad dynasty (Sunni), the Sunnis and the Shiites have been fight each other. And the have not stopped since.
Iraq is the latest battlefield in this centuries old war. The US is not the problem. The fighting won't stop because we leave. The "sectarian" violence that plagues that country has plagued Islam for 1,345 YEARS! Saudi Arabia (Sunni) will never allow Iran (Shiite) to dominate Iraq, so it funds the Sunni insurgency. Iran wants to dominate Iraq, so it fund the Shiite militias.
The solution is majority (Shiite) control with inalienable rights (and oil money) granted to Sunnis. The Iraqi Kurd and Saudis (Egyptians?) should be "persuaded" to be an honest broker in this process. There are some indications that the Saudis are waking up to the reality that if the US leaves, the Saudis' lives will become much, much more complicated.
Good. It is about time.
UPDATE: Diana West from the Washington Times: Let'em kill each other.
11.29.2006
I needed to have my "drivel" translator on it seems...
I understand everything you said. And if you re-read my last post, I jump on to your bandwagon about sports. And my example was close to home, since my daughter is a "casualty" of the young people sports machine that exists in today's society. BUT...
The reason I took umbrage to your post is that your counter-argument to a dearth of MLS(Pro) goals was a plethora of goals in a U10 league. And I say...no correlation. And then you come in with an entirely different post later and tell me I missed the point of the first one. Good thing you're not a lawyer!
The reason I took umbrage to your post is that your counter-argument to a dearth of MLS(Pro) goals was a plethora of goals in a U10 league. And I say...no correlation. And then you come in with an entirely different post later and tell me I missed the point of the first one. Good thing you're not a lawyer!
11.28.2006
How About Typing Shallower
Michael Irwin is in trouble and has been fired by ESPN.
Chicago objects to The Nativity Story sponsoring a Christmas celebration!
The two are similar in that the PC culture has gone nuts. Irwin is no Mel Gibson and the Chicago party is called "Christkindlmarket." Can we just calm down here?
Chicago objects to The Nativity Story sponsoring a Christmas celebration!
The two are similar in that the PC culture has gone nuts. Irwin is no Mel Gibson and the Chicago party is called "Christkindlmarket." Can we just calm down here?
Perhaps I Should Type Slower...
Thew must be purposefully antagonistic, because he ain't this dense.
Sports in America is a continuum from the first kick or hit to the last. To say that the youth game is the same as the pro game is silly, but to say that players at the top of the U10 game play in a certain way that changes by the time they are at U21 or in the MLS is not.
The Little League World Series pits the best baseball players in middle school against each other. Those games are played with certain characteristics that are different the when the Yankees and Sox square off. But you can trace the evolution of the game as the kids age. Whether it is ability (pitching improves) or equipment (aluminum to wood bats), you can see the game grow with the players.
I have two data points on the soccer continuum: the high scoring youth games and the low scoring pro games. What I am looking for is the point in between; the points where the game changes in character. A tadpole and a frog are different, but you can trace the development of the tadpole as it becomes a frog and see how the characteristics change on the way.
It is clear soccer's characteristics change as its players age...and not for the better (I think we can agree). I am just trying to identify and correct the problem.
Sports in America is a continuum from the first kick or hit to the last. To say that the youth game is the same as the pro game is silly, but to say that players at the top of the U10 game play in a certain way that changes by the time they are at U21 or in the MLS is not.
The Little League World Series pits the best baseball players in middle school against each other. Those games are played with certain characteristics that are different the when the Yankees and Sox square off. But you can trace the evolution of the game as the kids age. Whether it is ability (pitching improves) or equipment (aluminum to wood bats), you can see the game grow with the players.
I have two data points on the soccer continuum: the high scoring youth games and the low scoring pro games. What I am looking for is the point in between; the points where the game changes in character. A tadpole and a frog are different, but you can trace the development of the tadpole as it becomes a frog and see how the characteristics change on the way.
It is clear soccer's characteristics change as its players age...and not for the better (I think we can agree). I am just trying to identify and correct the problem.
Perhaps you're speaking Swahili?
A direct quote from your post...
"SoccerBlog is lamenting the lack of coverage...and complains about the drought of goals. But not all soccer in America is 'goal challenged.'"
My son's team....yadda yadda yadda..."Who says goal scoring is not part of soccer?".
You are comparing the draught of goals in MLS with the plethora of goals on your son's U10 team. Did I miss that point?
I am merely saying that comparing an abundance of goals on a U10 team to the lack of scoring in MLS is a silly comparison. If I missed the point, then you need to 'splain it again, Lucy. Because you then go on a rant about how many kids are dropping out of sports from 6th to 9th grade, and how do things change that leads to this, a real social policy diatribe. You were talking about goal scoring versus NOT goal scoring! Your blog on social policy and the youth sports climate is RIGHT ON, and I take no issue with it. But that was not what you were talking about, you were talking about "well, even though there is a dearth of goals in the MLS, there is a cornacoppia of scoring on my U10 team!" Get your arguments straight dood...
Now, about your social policy post, I can give you a HUGE reason why kids are dropping out. Sports aren't fun for the kids. You should see the crazed screaming psycho sports parents stalking the sidelines during games, even for 10 year olds. They scream at the kids, coach the kids, yell at the kids, howl at the other parents (how many fights?); it's pathetic, but that is the sports climate we have fostered in this country. WIN WIN WIN. BE A PRO, MAKE A TON OF MONEY! GET A COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP! We make it a job, when it should just be fun for the kids, serious later. There is so much pressure on the kids these days to win and perform and get better, we forget how much fun they really WANT it to be. So we, as parents, take the joy out of the game, and the kids lose interest. Having a daughter who decided to give up soccer after years of scoring goals and being an all star and making the "A" level travelling team, I know this closely. The coach making comments about her weight as she hit her teenage years (little 13 year old poundage gain), playing favorites, the pressure, the cliques, all turned her off to the game she so loved since she was little. Now she's an alternate band loving ("Death Cab for Cutie"???) eye piercing wanting artsy fartsy young lady who loves nothing more than to just chill in front of the TV or window shopping at Sephora. Almost like a rebellion against the mainstream...and her father. :)
THAT, I agree with Tilam on. Perhaps I missed his point, or perhaps he needs to explain it better.
Oh, and for the record, in little league, I only had ONE hit that season. So "swinging the bat" for me is, in reality, stretching it a bit.
ROFL!
"SoccerBlog is lamenting the lack of coverage...and complains about the drought of goals. But not all soccer in America is 'goal challenged.'"
My son's team....yadda yadda yadda..."Who says goal scoring is not part of soccer?".
You are comparing the draught of goals in MLS with the plethora of goals on your son's U10 team. Did I miss that point?
I am merely saying that comparing an abundance of goals on a U10 team to the lack of scoring in MLS is a silly comparison. If I missed the point, then you need to 'splain it again, Lucy. Because you then go on a rant about how many kids are dropping out of sports from 6th to 9th grade, and how do things change that leads to this, a real social policy diatribe. You were talking about goal scoring versus NOT goal scoring! Your blog on social policy and the youth sports climate is RIGHT ON, and I take no issue with it. But that was not what you were talking about, you were talking about "well, even though there is a dearth of goals in the MLS, there is a cornacoppia of scoring on my U10 team!" Get your arguments straight dood...
Now, about your social policy post, I can give you a HUGE reason why kids are dropping out. Sports aren't fun for the kids. You should see the crazed screaming psycho sports parents stalking the sidelines during games, even for 10 year olds. They scream at the kids, coach the kids, yell at the kids, howl at the other parents (how many fights?); it's pathetic, but that is the sports climate we have fostered in this country. WIN WIN WIN. BE A PRO, MAKE A TON OF MONEY! GET A COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP! We make it a job, when it should just be fun for the kids, serious later. There is so much pressure on the kids these days to win and perform and get better, we forget how much fun they really WANT it to be. So we, as parents, take the joy out of the game, and the kids lose interest. Having a daughter who decided to give up soccer after years of scoring goals and being an all star and making the "A" level travelling team, I know this closely. The coach making comments about her weight as she hit her teenage years (little 13 year old poundage gain), playing favorites, the pressure, the cliques, all turned her off to the game she so loved since she was little. Now she's an alternate band loving ("Death Cab for Cutie"???) eye piercing wanting artsy fartsy young lady who loves nothing more than to just chill in front of the TV or window shopping at Sephora. Almost like a rebellion against the mainstream...and her father. :)
THAT, I agree with Tilam on. Perhaps I missed his point, or perhaps he needs to explain it better.
Oh, and for the record, in little league, I only had ONE hit that season. So "swinging the bat" for me is, in reality, stretching it a bit.
ROFL!
Biting Off More then You Can Thew
As usual, in an effort to go for the jugular, Thew misses the point…and then everything else.
My question as to the MLS is “does something happen to the character of the game as the kids get older?” Here is a statistic: 70% of kids in sports in America drop out from participating in sports programs from 6th through 9th grade. This is across all sports.
As a licensed coach in youth soccer, I can say this is a HUGE concern for our league: to wit, how do we keep kids engaged. Now I would suggest that much of that dropout is multi-sport athletes focusing on one sport. But I would also propose that they are FORCED to focus on one sport because the demands of youth sports are very different now then they were when Thew and I were kicking a soccer ball or swinging a bat. Further, if that is the case, how do we as soccer coaches get the kids to pick OUR sport.
But there are a multitude of factors involved here and Thew is wrong when he says “it doesn’t matter what happens with a bunch of 6th graders…”. It most certainly does. The youth sports shape the character of professional sports to a great degree. From the simplest things like safety to more complicated concepts like sportsmanship, what you learn when you are young shapes the way you act and play as an adult…for better or worse.
As for diving and flopping, I would say that that is more of a problem with European leagues then in the MLS and is akin to asking “what about the fact that very few U10s speak Italian!” It is clear that kids will go up and adapt advantageous rules, but I digress.
My point is the beautiful game is evident in the youth leagues, so how can we continue to encourage the players, as they age, not to lose that desire to dent the twine.
My question as to the MLS is “does something happen to the character of the game as the kids get older?” Here is a statistic: 70% of kids in sports in America drop out from participating in sports programs from 6th through 9th grade. This is across all sports.
As a licensed coach in youth soccer, I can say this is a HUGE concern for our league: to wit, how do we keep kids engaged. Now I would suggest that much of that dropout is multi-sport athletes focusing on one sport. But I would also propose that they are FORCED to focus on one sport because the demands of youth sports are very different now then they were when Thew and I were kicking a soccer ball or swinging a bat. Further, if that is the case, how do we as soccer coaches get the kids to pick OUR sport.
But there are a multitude of factors involved here and Thew is wrong when he says “it doesn’t matter what happens with a bunch of 6th graders…”. It most certainly does. The youth sports shape the character of professional sports to a great degree. From the simplest things like safety to more complicated concepts like sportsmanship, what you learn when you are young shapes the way you act and play as an adult…for better or worse.
As for diving and flopping, I would say that that is more of a problem with European leagues then in the MLS and is akin to asking “what about the fact that very few U10s speak Italian!” It is clear that kids will go up and adapt advantageous rules, but I digress.
My point is the beautiful game is evident in the youth leagues, so how can we continue to encourage the players, as they age, not to lose that desire to dent the twine.
11.27.2006
Hall of Fame and Q-back Wannabes...
So there is some noteworthy stuff to chat about today...
Michael Vick gave the entire Georgia Dome the finger after being booed while walking off the field after the Falcon's 4th straight loss (to the Saints). Of course he apologized for it, and I'm sure it was borne of a great deal of frustration, but let's be honest - VICK SUX! Okay, maybe not "SUX", but he isn't an NFL quarterback, when are people going to realize that? I bitch about Michael Vick almost as much as I laugh at Michelle Wie; the guy is a phenomenal athlete with blazing speed, but he's NOT a quarterback. Now, it's important to mention that his receivers have hands of stone, but still, he is NOT the solution to Atlanta's future, regardless of how much marketing and fan appeal he has. But now we are seeing the issue - when the pressure is on, and Vick tries to be a quarterback of the traditional type. bad things happen...
Oh Ben Roethlisberger, how far have you fallen my friend...
HERE is a discussion that will prove interesting, not only between TILAM and I, but around water coolers and board rooms across the country...the MLB Hall of Fame candidates have been announced. And you guessed it, Big Mac is on the list. Mark McGwire is one of the higher profile players up for consideration, but certainly one of the most controversial...there are a TON of players who should get serious consideration, but I'm not convinced there are more than a few "oh yeah, this guy should be in the hall". Cal Ripken, Jr, is a sure bet imo. Same for Tony Gwynn, a consummate hitter if there ever was one despite his doughboy frame (e tu John Kruk?). But I see no real sure fire players from among the list after those two. Big Mac should be evaluated on his merits (which are pretty good) and NOT on the steroid rumors (hey, I did a cycle of Andro and put on 10 pounds with serious exercise and diet) even though I'd give it 60% chance that he probably did them. Other people who are going to get serious consideration are: Lee Smith, Jim Rice, Dave Parker, Jack Morris, Don Mattingly, Goose Gossage, Steve Garvey, and Orel Hershiser, some of whom are not on their first ballot, btw. I don't see anyone else from the list getting inducted. TILAM?
USC whooped up on Notre Dame. It was a great game but I don't think it was as close as the score would indicate, even though they won by 20 points. :)
Well, I guess there's nothing else in the world worth noting...Thew out.
Michael Vick gave the entire Georgia Dome the finger after being booed while walking off the field after the Falcon's 4th straight loss (to the Saints). Of course he apologized for it, and I'm sure it was borne of a great deal of frustration, but let's be honest - VICK SUX! Okay, maybe not "SUX", but he isn't an NFL quarterback, when are people going to realize that? I bitch about Michael Vick almost as much as I laugh at Michelle Wie; the guy is a phenomenal athlete with blazing speed, but he's NOT a quarterback. Now, it's important to mention that his receivers have hands of stone, but still, he is NOT the solution to Atlanta's future, regardless of how much marketing and fan appeal he has. But now we are seeing the issue - when the pressure is on, and Vick tries to be a quarterback of the traditional type. bad things happen...
Oh Ben Roethlisberger, how far have you fallen my friend...
HERE is a discussion that will prove interesting, not only between TILAM and I, but around water coolers and board rooms across the country...the MLB Hall of Fame candidates have been announced. And you guessed it, Big Mac is on the list. Mark McGwire is one of the higher profile players up for consideration, but certainly one of the most controversial...there are a TON of players who should get serious consideration, but I'm not convinced there are more than a few "oh yeah, this guy should be in the hall". Cal Ripken, Jr, is a sure bet imo. Same for Tony Gwynn, a consummate hitter if there ever was one despite his doughboy frame (e tu John Kruk?). But I see no real sure fire players from among the list after those two. Big Mac should be evaluated on his merits (which are pretty good) and NOT on the steroid rumors (hey, I did a cycle of Andro and put on 10 pounds with serious exercise and diet) even though I'd give it 60% chance that he probably did them. Other people who are going to get serious consideration are: Lee Smith, Jim Rice, Dave Parker, Jack Morris, Don Mattingly, Goose Gossage, Steve Garvey, and Orel Hershiser, some of whom are not on their first ballot, btw. I don't see anyone else from the list getting inducted. TILAM?
USC whooped up on Notre Dame. It was a great game but I don't think it was as close as the score would indicate, even though they won by 20 points. :)
Well, I guess there's nothing else in the world worth noting...Thew out.
11.23.2006
He's BAAAAAACK
Thew is back after a short hiatus dealing with a cross country move.
Lemme tell ya, there is NOTHING between Tulsa, OK and Bakersfield, CA, but road, tumbleweeds, mountains, and dirt. And that includes any of the little broke down welfare wannabe towns along the way. It is one of THE most boring drives you'll ever do, but it's also one of the most interesting at the same time, seeing rock formations and the interesting landscapes. But frankly, strap on your iPod, set the cruise control, and watch the miles go by...
So, back to spew my rantings as I know you've been waiting for, dear readers...
Puskas has pass away, the soccer world has indeed lost one it's very best.
Milton Friedman is now in that great classroom in the sky as well - truly one of the most forward and influential thinkers of this past century.
Okay, enuf of that drivel...
Soccer in America - I take issue with Tilam's account of soccer goals in a U10 league compared to the MLS. Big deal. Now, I know the son in question, and he's a natural athlete that one, but a 10 year old team scoring goals in droves is HARDLY the counter-argument to a dearth of goals in MLS, and quite frankly, many of the other premier leagues around the world. I hardly see the comparison. Are you saying "well, they score a bunch of goals when they are kids, why aren't they scoring goals when they're adults?". *boggle* Unfortunately, it doesn't matter what happens with a bunch of 6th graders, what matters is that the MLS title game was a BORING 1-1 draw with a little bit of excitement in PK's. THAT is the issue here, THAT is the problem we need to fix. Drawing upon a comparison to 10 year olds simply doesn't compute with me, sorry Tilam. Also, let me ask THIS question in response to what I think your point is..."the U10 kids don't dive and flop around like a fish out of water, yet they do in all the pro leagues, what's THAT about?". Go ahead, start the flaming...
Aside from that, nice season, give your son my congratulations.
In "what has she done DIFFERENT lately?" department, Michelle Wie shot an 81 in a men's event in Japan. When will this end, I wonder...
Tiger won his 7th Grand Slam of golf. This guy is pure scary...
So Larry Coker was fired as the coach of the Miami Hurricanes. It's about damm time. He was a shitty coach who took a great program and turned it into the laughing stock of Florida. His national title was accomplished with OTHER players than his recruits. He recruited idiots to play but couldn't get them to perform on the field, they were too busy getting into trouble with the law off the field. Fights, guns, etc - I don't even thing the 'Canes are SNIFFING the top 25 in the AP poll. This is a quality lesson in "just because you recruit athletes to play it doesn't mean you're going to win if you recruit assholes".
NFL
Is there a hotter quarterback than Tony Romo of the Cowboys?
Has ANYONE learned the lesson of "winning and playing well will keep T.O.'s mouth shut!" yet?
Does anyone doubt Phillip Rivers anymore in San Diego?
NBA
Is there anyone who really gives a shit about the NBA?
MLB
So the Sawx won the lottery to speak with Matsuszaka. Was it more important to spend the money to keep him from the Yankees? Or was it important to land a pitcher? Also, so he lit up the Japanese league, how do you think he's going to do in the MLB? When the hitters and scouts chart him and figure him out, what do you think is going to happen? Light him up like a Chrismas tree. That is my prediction.
Soriano to the Cubbies...is it only me who says "Wood and Prior are NOT the tandem of the future, get some PITCHING!"
So Justine Morneau wins the MVP over DJ. I don't have a significant problem with this result, because frankly, Morneau is a great player who finished with a great season. But I'd have still given the nod to Jeter, whose history of quality play should have, imo, weighed a bit more in the judges mind. One quality season isn't enough, I hope Morneau proves this a valid choice in the years to come.
That's about it, I'll have more dirt to throw at Tilam soon enough.
Lemme tell ya, there is NOTHING between Tulsa, OK and Bakersfield, CA, but road, tumbleweeds, mountains, and dirt. And that includes any of the little broke down welfare wannabe towns along the way. It is one of THE most boring drives you'll ever do, but it's also one of the most interesting at the same time, seeing rock formations and the interesting landscapes. But frankly, strap on your iPod, set the cruise control, and watch the miles go by...
So, back to spew my rantings as I know you've been waiting for, dear readers...
Puskas has pass away, the soccer world has indeed lost one it's very best.
Milton Friedman is now in that great classroom in the sky as well - truly one of the most forward and influential thinkers of this past century.
Okay, enuf of that drivel...
Soccer in America - I take issue with Tilam's account of soccer goals in a U10 league compared to the MLS. Big deal. Now, I know the son in question, and he's a natural athlete that one, but a 10 year old team scoring goals in droves is HARDLY the counter-argument to a dearth of goals in MLS, and quite frankly, many of the other premier leagues around the world. I hardly see the comparison. Are you saying "well, they score a bunch of goals when they are kids, why aren't they scoring goals when they're adults?". *boggle* Unfortunately, it doesn't matter what happens with a bunch of 6th graders, what matters is that the MLS title game was a BORING 1-1 draw with a little bit of excitement in PK's. THAT is the issue here, THAT is the problem we need to fix. Drawing upon a comparison to 10 year olds simply doesn't compute with me, sorry Tilam. Also, let me ask THIS question in response to what I think your point is..."the U10 kids don't dive and flop around like a fish out of water, yet they do in all the pro leagues, what's THAT about?". Go ahead, start the flaming...
Aside from that, nice season, give your son my congratulations.
In "what has she done DIFFERENT lately?" department, Michelle Wie shot an 81 in a men's event in Japan. When will this end, I wonder...
Tiger won his 7th Grand Slam of golf. This guy is pure scary...
So Larry Coker was fired as the coach of the Miami Hurricanes. It's about damm time. He was a shitty coach who took a great program and turned it into the laughing stock of Florida. His national title was accomplished with OTHER players than his recruits. He recruited idiots to play but couldn't get them to perform on the field, they were too busy getting into trouble with the law off the field. Fights, guns, etc - I don't even thing the 'Canes are SNIFFING the top 25 in the AP poll. This is a quality lesson in "just because you recruit athletes to play it doesn't mean you're going to win if you recruit assholes".
NFL
Is there a hotter quarterback than Tony Romo of the Cowboys?
Has ANYONE learned the lesson of "winning and playing well will keep T.O.'s mouth shut!" yet?
Does anyone doubt Phillip Rivers anymore in San Diego?
NBA
Is there anyone who really gives a shit about the NBA?
MLB
So the Sawx won the lottery to speak with Matsuszaka. Was it more important to spend the money to keep him from the Yankees? Or was it important to land a pitcher? Also, so he lit up the Japanese league, how do you think he's going to do in the MLB? When the hitters and scouts chart him and figure him out, what do you think is going to happen? Light him up like a Chrismas tree. That is my prediction.
Soriano to the Cubbies...is it only me who says "Wood and Prior are NOT the tandem of the future, get some PITCHING!"
So Justine Morneau wins the MVP over DJ. I don't have a significant problem with this result, because frankly, Morneau is a great player who finished with a great season. But I'd have still given the nod to Jeter, whose history of quality play should have, imo, weighed a bit more in the judges mind. One quality season isn't enough, I hope Morneau proves this a valid choice in the years to come.
That's about it, I'll have more dirt to throw at Tilam soon enough.
11.17.2006
The Galloping Major
Ferenc Puskas has died. He was one of the true greats of international soccer with a per game goals scored average greater then Pele.
From ESPN: "Puskas starred in two of the most famous games in European soccer history -- scoring twice in Hungary's stunning 6-3 upset over England at Wembley Stadium in 1953, and scoring four goals in Real Madrid's 7-3 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the 1960 European Cup final." As a side note Di Stefano scored a hat trick in the Real-Eintracht game. In 1999, he was voted the 6th best soccer player of the 20th century, though I think he was arguably better then that.
The game has changed since Puskas' time with the mid-field and defenses more dominant then ever. Those fans who bristle at a 1-0 or 1-1 game will appreciate the striker oriented mentality that dominated the international game in the 50s and 60s when Puskas, Di Stefano and Pele reigned supreme. And scores of 6-3 and 7-3 were far more common.
The world of soccer lost a true superstar.
From ESPN: "Puskas starred in two of the most famous games in European soccer history -- scoring twice in Hungary's stunning 6-3 upset over England at Wembley Stadium in 1953, and scoring four goals in Real Madrid's 7-3 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the 1960 European Cup final." As a side note Di Stefano scored a hat trick in the Real-Eintracht game. In 1999, he was voted the 6th best soccer player of the 20th century, though I think he was arguably better then that.
The game has changed since Puskas' time with the mid-field and defenses more dominant then ever. Those fans who bristle at a 1-0 or 1-1 game will appreciate the striker oriented mentality that dominated the international game in the 50s and 60s when Puskas, Di Stefano and Pele reigned supreme. And scores of 6-3 and 7-3 were far more common.
The world of soccer lost a true superstar.
11.16.2006
Uncle Miltie
I will do a post on the Congressional elections, soon, but I interrupt politics to talk economics.
Milton Friedman passed away last night. Friedman had a direct influence in my life. As the founder of the Chicago School of Economics, he was the driving force in the replacement of Keynesian economics as the prevailing economic theory with monetarism. He won the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1976 while at the University of Chicago.
As a Economic major from the University of Chicago, I spent 4 years being indoctrinated by a host of Friedman disciples...it was the greatest learning experience of my life.
UPDATE: I am doing Mr. Friedman a huge disservice by implying that he was simply an economist. His book, "Free to Chose," describes a moral and political system as much as an economic system. Milton Friedman was one of the great thinkers of our time. (See Joe's Dartblog for an interview on Libertarianism.)
Milton Friedman passed away last night. Friedman had a direct influence in my life. As the founder of the Chicago School of Economics, he was the driving force in the replacement of Keynesian economics as the prevailing economic theory with monetarism. He won the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1976 while at the University of Chicago.
As a Economic major from the University of Chicago, I spent 4 years being indoctrinated by a host of Friedman disciples...it was the greatest learning experience of my life.
UPDATE: I am doing Mr. Friedman a huge disservice by implying that he was simply an economist. His book, "Free to Chose," describes a moral and political system as much as an economic system. Milton Friedman was one of the great thinkers of our time. (See Joe's Dartblog for an interview on Libertarianism.)
11.13.2006
Soccer in America...A Chance to Brag
It seems I have been demoted from SoccerBlog since my "comment" to one of Shourin's posts is taking its sweet time getting up on the site. Nonetheless, SoccerBlog is lamenting the lack of coverage of the MLS title game (1 - 1 tie, Houston in PKs over the Revolution) and complains about the drought of goals. But not all soccer in America is "goal challenged."
My U10 Boys team finished with an impressive 6-1-1 record this past fall season. I was very happy with the level of play and was also lucky to have some great filler kids. By filler, I mean that most coaches move with a small group of players anchored by their son/daughter. In this case, my son and about 5 friends formed the core of this team. As they are older this year then last (when the same core group went 4-3-1), they did have some advantages, but any advantages can be quickly lost if the kids you get from the draft to round out your team are not very good. This year, they were nearly all very good.
Like many coaches' sons, mine played a critical role. He is a goal scorer...that is what he does. In our 8 games, we outscored opponents 37-15 and HE outscored them 19-15. Our average game was a 4.6 - 1.9 victory and our one loss was a 3-1 loss against a weaker team. (We hit the post 5 times!) My son scored 3 hat tricks and had a 4 goal game in the last game of the season. I would also note that the goal is 12x6, not the regulation goal.
Who says goal scoring is not part of soccer!
Now, I will say that our defense this year was much stronger then last, but it was anchored by two talented, younger players with whom I rotated in an older player to fill. We did have one very weak player (though his problem is a lack of focus rather then a lack of ability), but I had enough depth to cover. Finally, we did have some very good goalkeepers.
I would point out that defense at a young age is "easier" then offense. In fact as a former striker and attacking midfielder, I can tell you that an inferior defender can still screw up an opposing offense if he/she plays conservatively. What happens to these players as they grow up???
My U10 Boys team finished with an impressive 6-1-1 record this past fall season. I was very happy with the level of play and was also lucky to have some great filler kids. By filler, I mean that most coaches move with a small group of players anchored by their son/daughter. In this case, my son and about 5 friends formed the core of this team. As they are older this year then last (when the same core group went 4-3-1), they did have some advantages, but any advantages can be quickly lost if the kids you get from the draft to round out your team are not very good. This year, they were nearly all very good.
Like many coaches' sons, mine played a critical role. He is a goal scorer...that is what he does. In our 8 games, we outscored opponents 37-15 and HE outscored them 19-15. Our average game was a 4.6 - 1.9 victory and our one loss was a 3-1 loss against a weaker team. (We hit the post 5 times!) My son scored 3 hat tricks and had a 4 goal game in the last game of the season. I would also note that the goal is 12x6, not the regulation goal.
Who says goal scoring is not part of soccer!
Now, I will say that our defense this year was much stronger then last, but it was anchored by two talented, younger players with whom I rotated in an older player to fill. We did have one very weak player (though his problem is a lack of focus rather then a lack of ability), but I had enough depth to cover. Finally, we did have some very good goalkeepers.
I would point out that defense at a young age is "easier" then offense. In fact as a former striker and attacking midfielder, I can tell you that an inferior defender can still screw up an opposing offense if he/she plays conservatively. What happens to these players as they grow up???
11.08.2006
Twofer!
Rumsfeld resigns and Shadegg is running for the Minority Whip post. I'll take that as a twofer within 6 hours of my post below.
Time to get cocky.
UPDATE: And Pence is running for Minority Leader! Ha!
Time to get cocky.
UPDATE: And Pence is running for Minority Leader! Ha!
Foreign Affairs
So I said I was a single issue voter: who is best suited to protect this country. Whether the rest of the country felt that strongly on the this issue or not, the party who I believe is less able to manage WWIV is now in charge as we are left with a Democratic House and (most likely) a Democratic Senate. What now?
Well, first off, we are not going to immediately withdraw. I do think that enough Democratic Congressmen and women will act rationally enough to prevent the John Kerrys of the Congress from getting their way. I do think there will be more forceful action to get the Iraqi government to act on its own. Maliki's government has been a little too cozy with Sadr and some other unsavory folks, but he can afford to do that if the American's have got his back. (As I stated previously, I do think that it will get worse for the Iraq people before it gets better.) We now have the opportunity for a good cop/bad cop approach and say, "Maliki, you had better make progress or else."
As an aside, I think the realistic worse case is that Iraq breaks up into three regions; the Kurdish north, the Shiite south and the Sunni middle. How bad would that be? I am not sure (I think it actually depends on how much trouble the KURDS want to make with Turkey and Iran). I do not think there will be "civil war" for all of Iraq.
I also see no change in policy toward Iran and North Korea.
The fundamental reason is that the Democrats did not win, the Republicans lost. The Democrats have no defined agenda, so they will be free to muddle along for two years and try and consolidate their victory in 2008. I simply do not see ANYONE in the Democratic leadership willing to stand up and take ownership and responsibility for action, in particular on foreign affairs.
More thoughts later...
Well, first off, we are not going to immediately withdraw. I do think that enough Democratic Congressmen and women will act rationally enough to prevent the John Kerrys of the Congress from getting their way. I do think there will be more forceful action to get the Iraqi government to act on its own. Maliki's government has been a little too cozy with Sadr and some other unsavory folks, but he can afford to do that if the American's have got his back. (As I stated previously, I do think that it will get worse for the Iraq people before it gets better.) We now have the opportunity for a good cop/bad cop approach and say, "Maliki, you had better make progress or else."
As an aside, I think the realistic worse case is that Iraq breaks up into three regions; the Kurdish north, the Shiite south and the Sunni middle. How bad would that be? I am not sure (I think it actually depends on how much trouble the KURDS want to make with Turkey and Iran). I do not think there will be "civil war" for all of Iraq.
I also see no change in policy toward Iran and North Korea.
The fundamental reason is that the Democrats did not win, the Republicans lost. The Democrats have no defined agenda, so they will be free to muddle along for two years and try and consolidate their victory in 2008. I simply do not see ANYONE in the Democratic leadership willing to stand up and take ownership and responsibility for action, in particular on foreign affairs.
More thoughts later...
Election 2006 Post-Mortem
Shocking…Election Day turned out about as predicted by the various pundits.
So, here are my thoughts as to winners; losers and what to watch for:
Winners:
Moderate Democrats. While Lieberman in CT is the media favorite, moderate Democrats made inroads in the Midwest and South and were able to take seats from Republicans.
Fossilized Liberals: Rangel, Conyers, Dingell are names the country will start to hear again. If VA and MT senate races go to the Democrats, we will have Reid and Kennedy in the Senate. This might be akin to waking up the next morning and finding out that the beautiful women you slept with last night…ain’t…so…beautiful.
Small Government Republicans. Pence, Shadegg and others have been pounding on Republican leadership to cut spending to no avail. I suspect you will see more of these guys in the House Minority leadership. THANK GOD!
Newt Gingrich. Architect of the 1994 Takeover, his 2008 stock just went waaaaay up. But did it go up enough to overcome the residual baggage from the Government shutdown?
Property Rights. Anti-Kelo initiatives passed overwhelmingly.
Losers:
President Bush. He has managed to piss off everyone for different reasons. And SecDef Rumsfeld is the next Iraq casualty.
Gays. I would argue that the BIGGEST loser was the gay community. Same-sex marriage bans continue to be enacted by popular vote. Other than Arizona, gays lost.
Activist Courts. Popular votes sent a strong message to the Courts: STOP IT. Kelo lost (US Supreme Court), gay rights lost (NJ and MA supreme court) and affirmative action lost in MI. The common theme is that these were reactions to activist courts imposing their will on the people. And the people struck back.
Fossilized Republicans. Hassert, Lewis, Young in the House, Stevens in the Senate. Your gravy train was good while it lasted, but it’s over.
McCain, Romney. The two 2008 Republican presidential front runners took a bit of a shot. McCain because he is clearly “part of the problem” that got the Republicans in this mess. Romney’s successor, Kerry Healey, was ROUTED in MA by Deval Patrick…some legacy.
The Iraqis. The terrorists stepped up the campaign to kill American in October and influence the elections. Despite the fact that this is a typical 6th year swing, they will take encouragement from the results and the Iraqis will bear the brunt of this.
Thew?
UPDATE: That was fast. Rumsfeld is out.
So, here are my thoughts as to winners; losers and what to watch for:
Winners:
Moderate Democrats. While Lieberman in CT is the media favorite, moderate Democrats made inroads in the Midwest and South and were able to take seats from Republicans.
Fossilized Liberals: Rangel, Conyers, Dingell are names the country will start to hear again. If VA and MT senate races go to the Democrats, we will have Reid and Kennedy in the Senate. This might be akin to waking up the next morning and finding out that the beautiful women you slept with last night…ain’t…so…beautiful.
Small Government Republicans. Pence, Shadegg and others have been pounding on Republican leadership to cut spending to no avail. I suspect you will see more of these guys in the House Minority leadership. THANK GOD!
Newt Gingrich. Architect of the 1994 Takeover, his 2008 stock just went waaaaay up. But did it go up enough to overcome the residual baggage from the Government shutdown?
Property Rights. Anti-Kelo initiatives passed overwhelmingly.
Losers:
President Bush. He has managed to piss off everyone for different reasons. And SecDef Rumsfeld is the next Iraq casualty.
Gays. I would argue that the BIGGEST loser was the gay community. Same-sex marriage bans continue to be enacted by popular vote. Other than Arizona, gays lost.
Activist Courts. Popular votes sent a strong message to the Courts: STOP IT. Kelo lost (US Supreme Court), gay rights lost (NJ and MA supreme court) and affirmative action lost in MI. The common theme is that these were reactions to activist courts imposing their will on the people. And the people struck back.
Fossilized Republicans. Hassert, Lewis, Young in the House, Stevens in the Senate. Your gravy train was good while it lasted, but it’s over.
McCain, Romney. The two 2008 Republican presidential front runners took a bit of a shot. McCain because he is clearly “part of the problem” that got the Republicans in this mess. Romney’s successor, Kerry Healey, was ROUTED in MA by Deval Patrick…some legacy.
The Iraqis. The terrorists stepped up the campaign to kill American in October and influence the elections. Despite the fact that this is a typical 6th year swing, they will take encouragement from the results and the Iraqis will bear the brunt of this.
Thew?
UPDATE: That was fast. Rumsfeld is out.
11.07.2006
Election 2006 Part V
Okay, Election Day is upon us. First off…VOTE. As many of you know, I am a victim of taxation without representation…I am a Massachusetts Republican. I actually consider myself a Libertarian more then a Republican, but there really is not a category for a middle American voter.
I am an issues voter, usually focused on low taxes; free trade and other “free economy” policies. Of course, in the last few elections, I have voted based on the candidates’ stance on the War of Terror. (See Orson Scott Card.) I don’t think Iraq is going badly RELATIVE to other wars and RELATIVE to the alternative of withdrawal. Further, I am not sure that there is an obvious answer to what it will take to win beyond “time.”
But, we have not had a successful attack on US soil since 2001. While I am more then happy to give bi-partisan credit for the efforts immediately after September 11th, my concern is that the Democrats have lost their will to win. Forgetting how we got here, we have no alternative, but to see it through. On this issue, the Democrats, led by its loudest voices (Kerry, Kennedy, Dean, Reid) are very clear where they stand: cut and run.
I am hopeful, if the Democrats take the Congress that grown-ups will start asserting leadership, but I am far more concerned that the Left will take the results as a confirmation that the US wants to bail on Iraq and retreat to its borders. That will be a mistake, and very probably a tragic one.
The terrorists have spoken...vote Democrat.
I am an issues voter, usually focused on low taxes; free trade and other “free economy” policies. Of course, in the last few elections, I have voted based on the candidates’ stance on the War of Terror. (See Orson Scott Card.) I don’t think Iraq is going badly RELATIVE to other wars and RELATIVE to the alternative of withdrawal. Further, I am not sure that there is an obvious answer to what it will take to win beyond “time.”
But, we have not had a successful attack on US soil since 2001. While I am more then happy to give bi-partisan credit for the efforts immediately after September 11th, my concern is that the Democrats have lost their will to win. Forgetting how we got here, we have no alternative, but to see it through. On this issue, the Democrats, led by its loudest voices (Kerry, Kennedy, Dean, Reid) are very clear where they stand: cut and run.
I am hopeful, if the Democrats take the Congress that grown-ups will start asserting leadership, but I am far more concerned that the Left will take the results as a confirmation that the US wants to bail on Iraq and retreat to its borders. That will be a mistake, and very probably a tragic one.
The terrorists have spoken...vote Democrat.
11.03.2006
Election 2006 Part IV
In 2000 (Gore, FL) and 2004 (Kerry, OH), the issue of voter fraud came up. The Democrats scream the loudest about the disenfranchisement of their constituencies, primarily the black vote. Unfortunately, many steps have been taken to try and correct this - most notably in the form of voter ID requirements. Oddly, not have passed because of the universal opposition...of the Democratic Party.
John Fund is very worried that we will not know the winners next Tuesday. Now comes word of indictments against ACORN for voter fraud.
Voter fraud is more common then the Legacy Media reports. It looks like it affected the Presidential vote in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2004 (making WI a Blue, not Red state) and the Washington state Governors race in 2004 also (giving the Democrat a victory). Notice the pattern? The perpetrators of fraud: Democratic operatives. There is a reason that the Democrats do not want voter ID laws - it would put a damper on coercive and fraudulent voting practices in the major cities. It is far better to contest an election in front of sympathetic, Democrat appointed judges.
There is vote tampering on both sides, but the only party that has been involved with wide-spread, systemic fraud on the state-wide or national level in the last 10 years are the Democrats.
John Fund is very worried that we will not know the winners next Tuesday. Now comes word of indictments against ACORN for voter fraud.
Voter fraud is more common then the Legacy Media reports. It looks like it affected the Presidential vote in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2004 (making WI a Blue, not Red state) and the Washington state Governors race in 2004 also (giving the Democrat a victory). Notice the pattern? The perpetrators of fraud: Democratic operatives. There is a reason that the Democrats do not want voter ID laws - it would put a damper on coercive and fraudulent voting practices in the major cities. It is far better to contest an election in front of sympathetic, Democrat appointed judges.
There is vote tampering on both sides, but the only party that has been involved with wide-spread, systemic fraud on the state-wide or national level in the last 10 years are the Democrats.
Quiz Answer
Okay, this is an educated guess, but I am going to say the House of Representatives.
The only reason is that moral turpitude of that magnitude can only remian quiet if you are powerful.
How did I do?
The only reason is that moral turpitude of that magnitude can only remian quiet if you are powerful.
How did I do?
11.02.2006
An old Quiz
Can you imagine working at the following Company? It has a little over 500 employees with the following statistics:
*29 have been accused of spousal abuse
*7 have been arrested for fraud
*19 have been accused of writing bad checks
*117 have bankrupted at least two businesses
*3 have been arrested for assault
*71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit
*14 have been arrested on drug-related charges
*8 have been arrested for shoplifting
*21 are current defendants in lawsuits
*In 1998 alone, 84 were stopped for drunk driving
Can you guess which organization this is? Answer following Tilam's educated guess...
*29 have been accused of spousal abuse
*7 have been arrested for fraud
*19 have been accused of writing bad checks
*117 have bankrupted at least two businesses
*3 have been arrested for assault
*71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit
*14 have been arrested on drug-related charges
*8 have been arrested for shoplifting
*21 are current defendants in lawsuits
*In 1998 alone, 84 were stopped for drunk driving
Can you guess which organization this is? Answer following Tilam's educated guess...
Election 2006 Part III
Kerry has finally issued one of those political non-apologies ("I am sorry if I was misinterpreted"). When will a politician just say, "I was wrong"?
The Right is still a little frosted at how this was handled. From IBD: "Kerry's gaffe revealed something important about the man and his party. The coverage, likewise, showed influential newspapers rooting for this story to die." See also Patterico's report on the New York Times' flat out misrepresentations.
Jim Geraghty gets taken to task. I suggest that Jim does not take Donald personally…I think you just got a glimpse of the Angry Right. There is a substantial number of members in the Angry Right, but my sense is that they differ from the Angry Left in that what stirs them up is the lack of an aggressive defense against their perception (mostly correct) that the playing field of public debate is stacked against them. So Rush get lambasted for what he supposedly meant, not what he said , while Kerry gets off for what he said he meant, not what he said. Follow that? On the other hand, the Angry Left is much more offensive (in both senses of the word).
Jim's commenter takes the attitude of Mario Loyola of NRO…put the Dems on the spot. Make them take a stand. Quite frankly, in 2006 I agree. The Democrats have made it a campaign mantra NOT to take a stand on anything but being anti-Bush. And Republicans have generally accepted that because they do not want to be perceived as being pro-Bush given the President’s weak poll numbers.
But the Republicans need to get the Democrats on the record: Do you agree with Senator Kerry? Do you favor immediate withdrawal? Do you favor immediate repeal of the Bush tax cuts? Do you favor addressing illegal immigrant in a manner that does not reward law breakers? Do you want to eliminate pork?
I would guess that many conservatives think the Conservative Establishment lacks the backbone to focus on the issues that have kept this country safe and the economy humming along. And sometimes being angry is a good thing.
The Right is still a little frosted at how this was handled. From IBD: "Kerry's gaffe revealed something important about the man and his party. The coverage, likewise, showed influential newspapers rooting for this story to die." See also Patterico's report on the New York Times' flat out misrepresentations.
Jim Geraghty gets taken to task. I suggest that Jim does not take Donald personally…I think you just got a glimpse of the Angry Right. There is a substantial number of members in the Angry Right, but my sense is that they differ from the Angry Left in that what stirs them up is the lack of an aggressive defense against their perception (mostly correct) that the playing field of public debate is stacked against them. So Rush get lambasted for what he supposedly meant, not what he said , while Kerry gets off for what he said he meant, not what he said. Follow that? On the other hand, the Angry Left is much more offensive (in both senses of the word).
Jim's commenter takes the attitude of Mario Loyola of NRO…put the Dems on the spot. Make them take a stand. Quite frankly, in 2006 I agree. The Democrats have made it a campaign mantra NOT to take a stand on anything but being anti-Bush. And Republicans have generally accepted that because they do not want to be perceived as being pro-Bush given the President’s weak poll numbers.
But the Republicans need to get the Democrats on the record: Do you agree with Senator Kerry? Do you favor immediate withdrawal? Do you favor immediate repeal of the Bush tax cuts? Do you favor addressing illegal immigrant in a manner that does not reward law breakers? Do you want to eliminate pork?
I would guess that many conservatives think the Conservative Establishment lacks the backbone to focus on the issues that have kept this country safe and the economy humming along. And sometimes being angry is a good thing.
11.01.2006
These people want to be our LEADERS?
Clearing, John Kerry is exhibiting Dan Quayle disease. For those of you who don't remember Danny-boy, he is the unmitigated MORON who apparently never checked what his speechwriters put on paper, and if he did, he wasn't smart enough to know the facts. This is a man who congratulated our first moon landing crew by identifying one of the men as "buzz lukins" instead of "buzz aldrin". Now, some of you might remember who Mr Lukins is, but for those of you who don't, he's a convicted CHILD MOLESTER who is serving a hefty prison sentence. Frikkin MORONS.
Kerry is trying to take his dig at the president, but as is the case all too often in politics, is SO INTENT on delivering his barb that he misfires. I agree with Tilam's suggestion as to the message he was trying to put forth, and I also agree that no matter how well the Dems are situated for next week, they seem really focused on completely fubar'ing it.
Of course, since he's an athletic man, Kerry believed that the best defense is a good offense, and so in his apology he takes all the Republicans to task, slamming them for insinuating his comment was an attack on the citizens and armed forces of the US...blah blah blah. Idiot. The White House is hilariously whacking him verbally, and they should - "look guys, are these the types of leaders you want moving this country forward?" If I were the Pres, I'd be pissing my pants laughing at him. Talk about serving up cheese for the White House to slam one over the wall. Oh, and maybe I missed it, but Kerry has NOT completely clarified what he really wanted to say, at least in the stuff I've read. Maybe a simple "hey guys, I meant to state this as a criticism of the President, but it came out as this, and I screwed it up, and I'm sorry." Never a dull moment with those guys...
It nice to see someone BESIDES Teddy Kennedy being a complete ass, though.
Comments and musings from the world of sports (as I tend to do):
NFL
- Pats/Colts this weekend. I might actually watch a game from start to finish on Sunday.
- Shawn Merriman is blaming a "tainted legal supplement" for his positive steroid test. PUHLEEZE. Think of a new excuse, will ya? Nandralone just doesn't worm it's way into a pill, sorry buddy.
- Speaking of the Chargers, they sure have a ton of guys who are getting to know the police this season: Steve Foley was convicted on 2 counts of DUI (a double minor in hockey) and shot THREE TIMES by a police officer who felt threatened, Terrance Kiel was arrested on FIVE felony drug counts in Sept (he only missed ONE GAME), Markus Curry was released after being arrested on domestic violence chargers (hehe, get it?), and Foley and Shaun Phillips were each arrested for scuffling with San Diego police in two separate incidents one week apart. And in my bigot comment of the week "hmm, they are all black, does that say anything to us?".
MLB
- Sheff, what the frikk are you doing? Gary Sheffield is making noise in the Yankee clubhouse, stating that he wants a 3 year deal if they are going to make him play first base, and that if the Yankees trade him he's going to be a dick to the new club. Boy, THAT's gonna get you a phat contract... Sorry Sheff, but with Abreu in the lineup, you're a benchwarmer. Don't make it any worse by becoming Terrell Owens.
- The Rocket is already starting his "will I play or will I retire" dance, but amazingly enough, Andy Pettite is following his lead. Talk about paying TOO much attention to your teacher.
NBA
- another season of (and I LOVE THIS) "who gives a shit about the NBA?".
- WAIT - we bid a fond farewell to Red Auerbach, who passed last week. Ever a character and a winner, we will miss him. I bet he's smoking a HUGE stogie in the great hoops gym in the sky, smiling as ever.
NHL
- The Flyers are getting dissed BIG TIME. No one wants to be their next GM, that's hilarious! Well, they suck so far this year, but still, it's the FLYERS! Talk about becoming a red-headed stepchild in the eyes of NHL executives.
- Speaking of sucking, a glarin gquestion is "will the Atlanta Thrashers wake up and smell the coffee of mediocrity like they've done each of the past 3 years, or is this a legitimate SE powerhouse?" Time will tell, but they are certainly playing quality (and as a former resident of Hotlanta, exciting) hockey. But we've seen the fast horse out of the gate before, followed by a miserable middle of the season, followed by some quality hockey at the end. So the jury is still out - but you heard it first hear, Carolina and Atlanta will finish 1-2 in the Southeast, and both will make the playoffs. WRITE IT DOWN.
- Another young hotshot named Staal is in the NHL - that is a hockey family that SHOULD someday be mentioned in the same chapter as the HOWE's and MILLER's and SUTTER's. All the kids (Eric, Jordan, and the other one who's name I forget) are quality players with a wealth of talent.
- Speaking of the Penguins, will they have the cash and intestinal fortitude to keep their money kids - Crosby, Fleury, Malkin, and now Staal - for the long term? That is a great nucleus around which to build a hockey team. Going to be interesting to see how this plays out in the next couple of years.
PGA
- Paddy Harrington (who's a great guy if there ever was one) won the Euro Order of Merit after Sergio (no last name needed) gaffed on the final hole with a bogey, allowing the Irishman to tie for second and win the title. Maybe someone should have told Sergio that Harrington was from the US and it was match play...
- On that note, condolences to Paul Casey, who developed food poisoning before the tournament and lost his Order of Merit lead by gamely playing sick all week but ultimately losing out on the title. NO truth to the rumors that Harrington cooked a meal for Casey the evening before the tournament began. :)
- Jason Zuback won the Long Drive championship for a record fifth time with a clout of 369 yards. A far cry from the days of 400+ yard winning spanks during his 4 year reign from '96-'99. Let's hear it for drug testing in the LDA!!
- Vijay Singh was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame (along with Larry Nelson, Henry Picard, Marilynn Smith, and Mark McCormack (of IMG fame)). Once again I ask the question - WHY? By the way, it takes 65% majority to get in, but since no one got over 50% in his election year, he got in because he was the highest and he got over 50% (a clause in the election process). What the hell is THAT? 65% is 65%, if he doesn't get the requirement, he SHOULDN'T be in. Not to mention that he's a dick and I don't like him.
Holey Canoli's, that's enough for now! Thew out...
Kerry is trying to take his dig at the president, but as is the case all too often in politics, is SO INTENT on delivering his barb that he misfires. I agree with Tilam's suggestion as to the message he was trying to put forth, and I also agree that no matter how well the Dems are situated for next week, they seem really focused on completely fubar'ing it.
Of course, since he's an athletic man, Kerry believed that the best defense is a good offense, and so in his apology he takes all the Republicans to task, slamming them for insinuating his comment was an attack on the citizens and armed forces of the US...blah blah blah. Idiot. The White House is hilariously whacking him verbally, and they should - "look guys, are these the types of leaders you want moving this country forward?" If I were the Pres, I'd be pissing my pants laughing at him. Talk about serving up cheese for the White House to slam one over the wall. Oh, and maybe I missed it, but Kerry has NOT completely clarified what he really wanted to say, at least in the stuff I've read. Maybe a simple "hey guys, I meant to state this as a criticism of the President, but it came out as this, and I screwed it up, and I'm sorry." Never a dull moment with those guys...
It nice to see someone BESIDES Teddy Kennedy being a complete ass, though.
Comments and musings from the world of sports (as I tend to do):
NFL
- Pats/Colts this weekend. I might actually watch a game from start to finish on Sunday.
- Shawn Merriman is blaming a "tainted legal supplement" for his positive steroid test. PUHLEEZE. Think of a new excuse, will ya? Nandralone just doesn't worm it's way into a pill, sorry buddy.
- Speaking of the Chargers, they sure have a ton of guys who are getting to know the police this season: Steve Foley was convicted on 2 counts of DUI (a double minor in hockey) and shot THREE TIMES by a police officer who felt threatened, Terrance Kiel was arrested on FIVE felony drug counts in Sept (he only missed ONE GAME), Markus Curry was released after being arrested on domestic violence chargers (hehe, get it?), and Foley and Shaun Phillips were each arrested for scuffling with San Diego police in two separate incidents one week apart. And in my bigot comment of the week "hmm, they are all black, does that say anything to us?".
MLB
- Sheff, what the frikk are you doing? Gary Sheffield is making noise in the Yankee clubhouse, stating that he wants a 3 year deal if they are going to make him play first base, and that if the Yankees trade him he's going to be a dick to the new club. Boy, THAT's gonna get you a phat contract... Sorry Sheff, but with Abreu in the lineup, you're a benchwarmer. Don't make it any worse by becoming Terrell Owens.
- The Rocket is already starting his "will I play or will I retire" dance, but amazingly enough, Andy Pettite is following his lead. Talk about paying TOO much attention to your teacher.
NBA
- another season of (and I LOVE THIS) "who gives a shit about the NBA?".
- WAIT - we bid a fond farewell to Red Auerbach, who passed last week. Ever a character and a winner, we will miss him. I bet he's smoking a HUGE stogie in the great hoops gym in the sky, smiling as ever.
NHL
- The Flyers are getting dissed BIG TIME. No one wants to be their next GM, that's hilarious! Well, they suck so far this year, but still, it's the FLYERS! Talk about becoming a red-headed stepchild in the eyes of NHL executives.
- Speaking of sucking, a glarin gquestion is "will the Atlanta Thrashers wake up and smell the coffee of mediocrity like they've done each of the past 3 years, or is this a legitimate SE powerhouse?" Time will tell, but they are certainly playing quality (and as a former resident of Hotlanta, exciting) hockey. But we've seen the fast horse out of the gate before, followed by a miserable middle of the season, followed by some quality hockey at the end. So the jury is still out - but you heard it first hear, Carolina and Atlanta will finish 1-2 in the Southeast, and both will make the playoffs. WRITE IT DOWN.
- Another young hotshot named Staal is in the NHL - that is a hockey family that SHOULD someday be mentioned in the same chapter as the HOWE's and MILLER's and SUTTER's. All the kids (Eric, Jordan, and the other one who's name I forget) are quality players with a wealth of talent.
- Speaking of the Penguins, will they have the cash and intestinal fortitude to keep their money kids - Crosby, Fleury, Malkin, and now Staal - for the long term? That is a great nucleus around which to build a hockey team. Going to be interesting to see how this plays out in the next couple of years.
PGA
- Paddy Harrington (who's a great guy if there ever was one) won the Euro Order of Merit after Sergio (no last name needed) gaffed on the final hole with a bogey, allowing the Irishman to tie for second and win the title. Maybe someone should have told Sergio that Harrington was from the US and it was match play...
- On that note, condolences to Paul Casey, who developed food poisoning before the tournament and lost his Order of Merit lead by gamely playing sick all week but ultimately losing out on the title. NO truth to the rumors that Harrington cooked a meal for Casey the evening before the tournament began. :)
- Jason Zuback won the Long Drive championship for a record fifth time with a clout of 369 yards. A far cry from the days of 400+ yard winning spanks during his 4 year reign from '96-'99. Let's hear it for drug testing in the LDA!!
- Vijay Singh was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame (along with Larry Nelson, Henry Picard, Marilynn Smith, and Mark McCormack (of IMG fame)). Once again I ask the question - WHY? By the way, it takes 65% majority to get in, but since no one got over 50% in his election year, he got in because he was the highest and he got over 50% (a clause in the election process). What the hell is THAT? 65% is 65%, if he doesn't get the requirement, he SHOULDN'T be in. Not to mention that he's a dick and I don't like him.
Holey Canoli's, that's enough for now! Thew out...
10.31.2006
Election 2006 Part II
It is nearly impossible for me to believe. John Kerry demeaning the intelligence of our troops a week prior to election day.
Now it is clear to me he meant to slam the President's intelligence and say if you're stupid you get stuck in a Iraq quagmire. (Get it? Like Bush is stupid, har har!) But that is not how it came out.
Then Kerry responded. I seriously thought this was a joke. Sadly, it was not. It is not that it is simply incoherent, but this approach is fundamentally stupid. The simple thing is to say he misspoke, apologize and get another zinger in on President Bush. But nooooooo! (What is a "Katrina foreign policy" anyway?)
Every Republican should call on his or her challenger to take a stand on Kerry's remarks.
The Democrats are set to make big gains next week, but are hellbent on screwing it up.
UPDATE: Kerry is getting off the campaign trail and uses the phrase "Republican hate machine." Is this like a "capitalist running dog"? Why do left wingers sound like the "other side"?
Now it is clear to me he meant to slam the President's intelligence and say if you're stupid you get stuck in a Iraq quagmire. (Get it? Like Bush is stupid, har har!) But that is not how it came out.
Then Kerry responded. I seriously thought this was a joke. Sadly, it was not. It is not that it is simply incoherent, but this approach is fundamentally stupid. The simple thing is to say he misspoke, apologize and get another zinger in on President Bush. But nooooooo! (What is a "Katrina foreign policy" anyway?)
Every Republican should call on his or her challenger to take a stand on Kerry's remarks.
The Democrats are set to make big gains next week, but are hellbent on screwing it up.
UPDATE: Kerry is getting off the campaign trail and uses the phrase "Republican hate machine." Is this like a "capitalist running dog"? Why do left wingers sound like the "other side"?
Ba-da Bum
SI's Ten Spot has this little tid bit:
"A top substance-abuse expert from across the pond says that addiction to Internet porn is a growing problem for soccer players in England's Premiership. Well, sure. Players have to release tension somehow after running around for hours and never scoring."
"A top substance-abuse expert from across the pond says that addiction to Internet porn is a growing problem for soccer players in England's Premiership. Well, sure. Players have to release tension somehow after running around for hours and never scoring."
Election 2006 Part I
Ahhhh. One week to go. For political junkies, this is nirvana. I will probably do a series of posts on this, but wanted to through two things down that are under the radar.
Religion: Matt Yglesias has a post about religion which I am trying hard to understand. Wretchard wrestles a bit with this, too. The Left's problem is not with evangelicals per se, but with religion. Matt clearly does not believe in Christianity's miracles, but I don't take that personally, because I doubt he believes in the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, Mohammed's Night Journey from the Dome of the Rock, etc. Wretchard's point is "fine, you are free not to believe, but don't lie about that disbelief." Matt is a brilliant guy, but he typifies that Elite Left view that anything is game as long as you win elections.
Religion is more important in an off year election, because that is what drives voter turnout on the right.
Future Stars: Michael Steele is running for Senate in MD. A black conservative, Steele has crossover power that Barack Obama has yet to prove. A Black Democrat will not be the first (elected) Black president. A Black Republican may. Steel as a VP candidate in 2008, could set himself up for a run in 2016 when he will be 58.
Duncan Hunter has established an exploratory committee for a 2008 run. Dismissed on the even on the Right, he is a Vietnam War vet (Airborne and Rangers) and is Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. A California conservative with a strong military background who is, at first glance, squeaky clean should NEVER be counted out in these times. His political career is more mature (he is 10 years older then Steele), so this is his shot.
Religion: Matt Yglesias has a post about religion which I am trying hard to understand. Wretchard wrestles a bit with this, too. The Left's problem is not with evangelicals per se, but with religion. Matt clearly does not believe in Christianity's miracles, but I don't take that personally, because I doubt he believes in the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, Mohammed's Night Journey from the Dome of the Rock, etc. Wretchard's point is "fine, you are free not to believe, but don't lie about that disbelief." Matt is a brilliant guy, but he typifies that Elite Left view that anything is game as long as you win elections.
Religion is more important in an off year election, because that is what drives voter turnout on the right.
Future Stars: Michael Steele is running for Senate in MD. A black conservative, Steele has crossover power that Barack Obama has yet to prove. A Black Democrat will not be the first (elected) Black president. A Black Republican may. Steel as a VP candidate in 2008, could set himself up for a run in 2016 when he will be 58.
Duncan Hunter has established an exploratory committee for a 2008 run. Dismissed on the even on the Right, he is a Vietnam War vet (Airborne and Rangers) and is Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. A California conservative with a strong military background who is, at first glance, squeaky clean should NEVER be counted out in these times. His political career is more mature (he is 10 years older then Steele), so this is his shot.
10.30.2006
I'm Back Baby
After a long and boring drive across the country to a new home on the West Coast, Thew is back online and full of...well, hot air.
Gays and marriage. Gays and unions. My comments to follow soon, it's 1 am and I need to get some shut eye.
Glad to be back to torment you Tilam.
Gays and marriage. Gays and unions. My comments to follow soon, it's 1 am and I need to get some shut eye.
Glad to be back to torment you Tilam.
10.26.2006
Gay in NJ
Gays made a huge step toward equal "marriage" rights in NJ yesterday with the NJ Supreme court ruling. Glenn Reynolds has a round-up.
My position is the same as InstaPundit's...to wit, the government should sanction the contract of the union between couples. I would further state that "marriage" is a sacrament under the province of religious authorities and no business of the government. I think the NJ opinion is conscience of this distinction, but the use of "equal protection" to grant these rights gives me the creeps.
To wit, there is not logical distinction between same sex couples and Oedipal/Electra couples or a brother/sister union. (I obviously believe there are distinctions between same sex couples and marrying a minor or other individual - or beast I guess - who does not have the legal capacity to consent to the marriage.) That is why this needs to be settled in the legislatures not the courts.
I think gays do a disservice to their cause by using the courts to attempt wholesale change. I think this is because they are ultimately trying to impose moral acceptance as well as legal acceptance. I think I am like a great many Americans: while I support gay rights, I find gay sex repulsive. Does that make me a bigot? Maybe. Should the gay community care. No.
It always seems to me the objective of the gay community is not support, but approval. I am sorry, but I don't. And if push comes to shove, they will get neither rather then both.
UPDATE: Count Taranto in. And the Chicago Tribune also. Why is this so hard??? (See prior paragraph.)
My position is the same as InstaPundit's...to wit, the government should sanction the contract of the union between couples. I would further state that "marriage" is a sacrament under the province of religious authorities and no business of the government. I think the NJ opinion is conscience of this distinction, but the use of "equal protection" to grant these rights gives me the creeps.
To wit, there is not logical distinction between same sex couples and Oedipal/Electra couples or a brother/sister union. (I obviously believe there are distinctions between same sex couples and marrying a minor or other individual - or beast I guess - who does not have the legal capacity to consent to the marriage.) That is why this needs to be settled in the legislatures not the courts.
I think gays do a disservice to their cause by using the courts to attempt wholesale change. I think this is because they are ultimately trying to impose moral acceptance as well as legal acceptance. I think I am like a great many Americans: while I support gay rights, I find gay sex repulsive. Does that make me a bigot? Maybe. Should the gay community care. No.
It always seems to me the objective of the gay community is not support, but approval. I am sorry, but I don't. And if push comes to shove, they will get neither rather then both.
UPDATE: Count Taranto in. And the Chicago Tribune also. Why is this so hard??? (See prior paragraph.)
10.25.2006
Poster Girl
BlackFive brings us Beccy Cole and her video, Poster Girl.
I will keep quiet and let you see the video. And take a look at BlackFive for great stuff military and not...
I will keep quiet and let you see the video. And take a look at BlackFive for great stuff military and not...
10.20.2006
My Next Gig
The WSJ reports that the media is looking for the next great centrist pundit.
My big chance!
Of course, what constitutes "centrist" from the point of view of a very liberal media is open to debate. Is a centrist a political "everyman" or "average Jane" who can articulate what the majority of Americans are feeling on a particular issue? Or is a centrist someone who relects the average position in the news room?
My big chance!
Of course, what constitutes "centrist" from the point of view of a very liberal media is open to debate. Is a centrist a political "everyman" or "average Jane" who can articulate what the majority of Americans are feeling on a particular issue? Or is a centrist someone who relects the average position in the news room?
10.11.2006
Around the Horn
So A-Rod stands for Another Round One Disappointment?
Torre will be back; so I am happy. Lou Pinella would be a disaster...an '00s version of Billy Martin. Beside, Torre is not the problem. In fact, I would say that there really is not a problem, they lost the Divisional Series, that's it.
Not to say I would not make changes; Sheffield is the old horse in a crowded (but talented) outfield. I can see why you play the veteran Sheffield even though he is coming off of an injury, but the guy is almost 38 and as us oldsters know, recovery does not come that quickly anymore. Cano certainly did not have a good series, but sometimes that happens. A-Rod has none of those excuses.
I take issue with Thew's criticism of Giambi. Giambi is a unique player and need to be evaluated a bit differently. Because of his power and the amount of HBP and BBs he draws, a deeper analysis of the stats is required. So, Bobby Abreu hit .333 with a OBP of .412 and a Slugging % of .400. No issue there for me (and Thew). Giambi hit .125 (8 at-bats, 1 HR), but had a OBP of .417 and a Slugging % of .500. I would say he had a decent series.
Cory Lidle dies in a plane crash while flying VFR on the Hudson and East Rivers. It seems they were coming up north along the East River when they crashed. The pilot likens it to flying in a canyon (i.e., you can't simply turn around). No word on whether there is any truth to the rumor that his last word's were: "Sorry Goose, but it's time to buzz a tower."
Torre will be back; so I am happy. Lou Pinella would be a disaster...an '00s version of Billy Martin. Beside, Torre is not the problem. In fact, I would say that there really is not a problem, they lost the Divisional Series, that's it.
Not to say I would not make changes; Sheffield is the old horse in a crowded (but talented) outfield. I can see why you play the veteran Sheffield even though he is coming off of an injury, but the guy is almost 38 and as us oldsters know, recovery does not come that quickly anymore. Cano certainly did not have a good series, but sometimes that happens. A-Rod has none of those excuses.
I take issue with Thew's criticism of Giambi. Giambi is a unique player and need to be evaluated a bit differently. Because of his power and the amount of HBP and BBs he draws, a deeper analysis of the stats is required. So, Bobby Abreu hit .333 with a OBP of .412 and a Slugging % of .400. No issue there for me (and Thew). Giambi hit .125 (8 at-bats, 1 HR), but had a OBP of .417 and a Slugging % of .500. I would say he had a decent series.
Cory Lidle dies in a plane crash while flying VFR on the Hudson and East Rivers. It seems they were coming up north along the East River when they crashed. The pilot likens it to flying in a canyon (i.e., you can't simply turn around). No word on whether there is any truth to the rumor that his last word's were: "Sorry Goose, but it's time to buzz a tower."
10.08.2006
Atlanta Braves Disease...
Where to start...
Well, clearly King George will make some stupid knee-jerk reaction and probably fire Joe Torre. And make a bigger knee-jerk reaction and hire Lou Pinell. Of course, that isn't a given, but all the stories and "sources" are claiming it to be true. Lou Pinella for Joe Torre. Interesting change of attitude - Joe is the ultimately relaxed people manager, Lou is a psychopathic volcano who'll kick the ass of players who don't perform...possibly literally, as Rob Dibble can attest.
But where does the true blame lie?
Well, A-CLOD sucked AGAIN in a post-season. And I mean really sucked. 1 hit in 14 at bats for the "best player in baseball". Same with Gary Sheffield, although in HIS defense he didn't play much of the season because of an injury, and frankly, I wouldn't have played him much. But 1 for 12 isn't going to cut it. Cano at .133 and Giambi at .125 blows too. Bottom line is the Yankees didn't hit. Period. Sure, Jeter and Posada were around .500, and Abreu was over .300, but the rest of teh team couldn't hit it out of the infield if you spotted them the dirt. But the GLARING people who didn't perform were A-CLOD and CANO, neither of whom had an RBI...at all. And frankly, A-CLOD gets paid a SHITLOAD of money to perform, especially in the post-season. And he hasn't.
So here's Thew's opinions on the Yankees (and he's a Yankees fan)...
Keep Joe Torre (although I'm only about 75% sure here)...
Trade A-CLOD for pitching.
Keep Mussina, he's still got a couple of good years left.
Keep Randy Johnson, I still think that he can chuck it (he did win 17 games).
Now that Abreu is in RF, you can trade Gary Sheffield for pitching...please. Matsui/Damon/Abreu is an outfield I LOVE - and Cabrera is a decent subtitute.
Jaret Wright MUST GO. This guy was a flamethrower once, like a million years ago, but it's obvious his best years are behind him.
Mike Myers has to go too. I don't care that he's a submarining left, he's got control problems and only throws like 2 pitches, and is too inconsistent.
I like Bruney, Farnsworth (could use some control tweaks), Proctor, and Henn in the bullpen (Rivera is a given). Johnson, Mussina, Wang, and Lidle (give him a full year in the Bronx) are a decent starting rotation, and if we can trade A-CLOD for a quality pitcher that would be peechie. Villone is ok, I'm neutral about him.
And a GRUDGING congrats to the Tigers and a $25 gift card to my friend Mark who lives right outside Detroit. Bleah...
Well, clearly King George will make some stupid knee-jerk reaction and probably fire Joe Torre. And make a bigger knee-jerk reaction and hire Lou Pinell. Of course, that isn't a given, but all the stories and "sources" are claiming it to be true. Lou Pinella for Joe Torre. Interesting change of attitude - Joe is the ultimately relaxed people manager, Lou is a psychopathic volcano who'll kick the ass of players who don't perform...possibly literally, as Rob Dibble can attest.
But where does the true blame lie?
Well, A-CLOD sucked AGAIN in a post-season. And I mean really sucked. 1 hit in 14 at bats for the "best player in baseball". Same with Gary Sheffield, although in HIS defense he didn't play much of the season because of an injury, and frankly, I wouldn't have played him much. But 1 for 12 isn't going to cut it. Cano at .133 and Giambi at .125 blows too. Bottom line is the Yankees didn't hit. Period. Sure, Jeter and Posada were around .500, and Abreu was over .300, but the rest of teh team couldn't hit it out of the infield if you spotted them the dirt. But the GLARING people who didn't perform were A-CLOD and CANO, neither of whom had an RBI...at all. And frankly, A-CLOD gets paid a SHITLOAD of money to perform, especially in the post-season. And he hasn't.
So here's Thew's opinions on the Yankees (and he's a Yankees fan)...
Keep Joe Torre (although I'm only about 75% sure here)...
Trade A-CLOD for pitching.
Keep Mussina, he's still got a couple of good years left.
Keep Randy Johnson, I still think that he can chuck it (he did win 17 games).
Now that Abreu is in RF, you can trade Gary Sheffield for pitching...please. Matsui/Damon/Abreu is an outfield I LOVE - and Cabrera is a decent subtitute.
Jaret Wright MUST GO. This guy was a flamethrower once, like a million years ago, but it's obvious his best years are behind him.
Mike Myers has to go too. I don't care that he's a submarining left, he's got control problems and only throws like 2 pitches, and is too inconsistent.
I like Bruney, Farnsworth (could use some control tweaks), Proctor, and Henn in the bullpen (Rivera is a given). Johnson, Mussina, Wang, and Lidle (give him a full year in the Bronx) are a decent starting rotation, and if we can trade A-CLOD for a quality pitcher that would be peechie. Villone is ok, I'm neutral about him.
And a GRUDGING congrats to the Tigers and a $25 gift card to my friend Mark who lives right outside Detroit. Bleah...
10.02.2006
Scramble Golf Cheats
Thew relayed to me his annual journey to his old home town to play in a scramble golf tournament. His group tied for second low round with 14 under par. The winners were...
20 under. In this case it was 1 par, 15 birdies and 3 eagles.
I have played in many scramble charity tournaments and occasionally see a number like this, but I find it nearly impossible to believe it was done honestly. With everything going your group's way and a very judicious use of mulligan tickets, I can believe a 16 or 17 under, but 20 under???
I suspect that it is not outright fraud - that is getting a par, but writing down a birdie - but more like a very generous interpretations of the rules, whether it be gimmes, mulligans, etc. But even so, I have played on some mighty fine teams and it just seems so contrary to experience.
Tomorrow, I am plying in a charity scramble of my own. Last year my team won...with a 14 under. I will let you know how it goes.
20 under. In this case it was 1 par, 15 birdies and 3 eagles.
I have played in many scramble charity tournaments and occasionally see a number like this, but I find it nearly impossible to believe it was done honestly. With everything going your group's way and a very judicious use of mulligan tickets, I can believe a 16 or 17 under, but 20 under???
I suspect that it is not outright fraud - that is getting a par, but writing down a birdie - but more like a very generous interpretations of the rules, whether it be gimmes, mulligans, etc. But even so, I have played on some mighty fine teams and it just seems so contrary to experience.
Tomorrow, I am plying in a charity scramble of my own. Last year my team won...with a 14 under. I will let you know how it goes.
9.26.2006
Gutsy Topic!
The portrayal of the man as the MORON in the relationship has ingratiated itself in our nightly sitcoms. "Everyone Loves Raymond", "Kind of Queens", "The Simpsons", among others. All representations of the fact that the woman is the only smart one in the house and the man keeps f**king up everything. Pathetic, but it sure seems to set the sexual statement, no?
One of the wisest things that I've ever heard is "Women marry men hoping they'll change, Men marry women hoping they'll never change". How relevant is this in Tilam's discussion? Spot on. Women hope to change the man in their lives to be more what THEY want, rather than accept them for who they are and love them for this (although MY wife it the exception, she loves and and accepts me, warts and all). This is assinine a premise. If men did the same thing to women, they'd all have breast jobs, the body of an aerobic goddess, and platinum blonde hair. But we don't, for the most part. Why do women insist on "molding us"?
I have to applaud Tilam for jumping into THIS snakepit with both feet and taking it like a man on the chin. Dumbass...
So Tiger is pooh-poohing the Ryder cup as "the same shots but missed putts". Sure. I hope it helps you sleep at night. Cuz the US SUCKED!!!
Farewell to Byron Nelson. 11 professional tournaments in a row, 18 total in 1945. Lord Byron will do down as one of the great forefathers of today's massive sports machine that is the PGA. We will miss you. By the way, get 2 strokes each nine from Bobby Jones up there. :)
And btw, Calista Flockhart is skinny and ugly...
One of the wisest things that I've ever heard is "Women marry men hoping they'll change, Men marry women hoping they'll never change". How relevant is this in Tilam's discussion? Spot on. Women hope to change the man in their lives to be more what THEY want, rather than accept them for who they are and love them for this (although MY wife it the exception, she loves and and accepts me, warts and all). This is assinine a premise. If men did the same thing to women, they'd all have breast jobs, the body of an aerobic goddess, and platinum blonde hair. But we don't, for the most part. Why do women insist on "molding us"?
I have to applaud Tilam for jumping into THIS snakepit with both feet and taking it like a man on the chin. Dumbass...
So Tiger is pooh-poohing the Ryder cup as "the same shots but missed putts". Sure. I hope it helps you sleep at night. Cuz the US SUCKED!!!
Farewell to Byron Nelson. 11 professional tournaments in a row, 18 total in 1945. Lord Byron will do down as one of the great forefathers of today's massive sports machine that is the PGA. We will miss you. By the way, get 2 strokes each nine from Bobby Jones up there. :)
And btw, Calista Flockhart is skinny and ugly...
Ally McBeal
John Derbyshire of the National Review Online stepped into it with this post. As you might imagine, the reaction from the male populace was strong. So with everything that is going on, sex is the hot topic.
I blame the women's movement. The sexes are by no means "equal." It is not to say one is better then the other, but that they are different, as the book says, like Mars and Venus. But there has been raised two (going on three) generations of women whose expectations of a man and a relationship will never be met. I have said before, these women believe men are simply defective women. As such, they can remedy the defects and make us women.
Ladies, you can't, because we aren't.
The "Ally McBeal" syndrome is an offshoot of this. The women's movement destroyed the "objective" standard of what is a "good man." What was left in the vacuum is a relative standard of what any one women thinks is a "good man." The problem in application is that each woman thinks her man can be made better. Smart, faithful, good job, handsome...you don't do enough around the house! Spend any time with a woman and she will list all your "faults" as she sees them. Getting the big things right does not seem to count.
This is not a matter of lowering standards nor is it a matter of keeping silent at all times, but rather appreciating the good qualities in your mate.
Above all, men want to feel respected. For the past 40 years, we have gone from "Father Knows Best" to "The Simpsons." That is 40 years of destroying the image of men in society. So, when it comes down to it, you can't show respect, if you don't feel respect.
I blame the women's movement. The sexes are by no means "equal." It is not to say one is better then the other, but that they are different, as the book says, like Mars and Venus. But there has been raised two (going on three) generations of women whose expectations of a man and a relationship will never be met. I have said before, these women believe men are simply defective women. As such, they can remedy the defects and make us women.
Ladies, you can't, because we aren't.
The "Ally McBeal" syndrome is an offshoot of this. The women's movement destroyed the "objective" standard of what is a "good man." What was left in the vacuum is a relative standard of what any one women thinks is a "good man." The problem in application is that each woman thinks her man can be made better. Smart, faithful, good job, handsome...you don't do enough around the house! Spend any time with a woman and she will list all your "faults" as she sees them. Getting the big things right does not seem to count.
This is not a matter of lowering standards nor is it a matter of keeping silent at all times, but rather appreciating the good qualities in your mate.
Above all, men want to feel respected. For the past 40 years, we have gone from "Father Knows Best" to "The Simpsons." That is 40 years of destroying the image of men in society. So, when it comes down to it, you can't show respect, if you don't feel respect.
9.20.2006
General Meanderings...
Today the dinosaurs become extinct again. We bid a fond and knuckle-laced farewell to Tie DOmi of the Toronto Maple Leafs. If anyone made a living the hard way in sports, it was Domi. Completely undersized at maybe 5'10", he took on the game's heavyweights when his team was physically threatened, and frankly, sometimes just for the hell of it (read: Bob Probert). As the NHL changed, goonage became less and less important, Domi still kept his enforcer role but actually started to play hockey while on the ice. He was rewarded with more ice time, more points to reward his efforts, and even playoff shifts! And he's a genuinely nice guy, quick to laugh, humble, and all around fun to speak with. Yes, there was that instance with the cheap shot on Neidermayer in New Jersey which was dirty, but he'll probably always be best known for his altercation with a FAN who was hecklingh him, threw beer on him, then stood on the glass of the penalty box to taunt him a second time when it FELL IN and he started scrapping with Tie. If you've ever seen it, it's HILARIOUS. Some old beer swilling average joe laughing and hooting at the opposing team when it's "holy shit batman, I'm in a fight with Tie Domi, I'm gonna get my ASS kicked". Life's little amusing moments.
Ryder Cup time...so what? We're gonna get smoked.
And as one door closes, another one opens. Welcome back Peter Gammons, ESPN baseball analyst. He has recovered from a near fatal aneurysm on June 27th, and is back at work, in the booth, and on the computer. Providing you can deal with his itty bitty little mouth and the funky way he moves it when he talks, he's an excellent analyst, engaging, in-the-know, and the best there is (sorry Joe Buck) in baseball.
Hockey pre-season is starting...it seems I'm just getting over my post-Hurricanes hangover! Welcome back boys!
So there is more debris floating around outside the shuttle. Am I the only one thinking "oh shit"? NASA cannot identify the objects. WTF? They are taking a detailed survey and once-over (actually, thrice-over) of the shuttle to ensure there is no damage to the heat shield so we don't turn the astronauts into a flaming ball of wax again. Oh Shit. I might be the only one, but I think the shuttle program is currently flawed big time, and frankly I'm concerned that we've essentially compromised the safety of our folks in space again "just to save a buck"...time will tell, though.
Ryder Cup time...so what? We're gonna get smoked.
And as one door closes, another one opens. Welcome back Peter Gammons, ESPN baseball analyst. He has recovered from a near fatal aneurysm on June 27th, and is back at work, in the booth, and on the computer. Providing you can deal with his itty bitty little mouth and the funky way he moves it when he talks, he's an excellent analyst, engaging, in-the-know, and the best there is (sorry Joe Buck) in baseball.
Hockey pre-season is starting...it seems I'm just getting over my post-Hurricanes hangover! Welcome back boys!
So there is more debris floating around outside the shuttle. Am I the only one thinking "oh shit"? NASA cannot identify the objects. WTF? They are taking a detailed survey and once-over (actually, thrice-over) of the shuttle to ensure there is no damage to the heat shield so we don't turn the astronauts into a flaming ball of wax again. Oh Shit. I might be the only one, but I think the shuttle program is currently flawed big time, and frankly I'm concerned that we've essentially compromised the safety of our folks in space again "just to save a buck"...time will tell, though.
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