Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
I guess something from college football needs to make the headlines
This Tim Tebow controversy for not being a unanimous pick for the preseason all-SEC team is ridiculous. Is this all ESPN has to report about? Mark Buehrle's perfect game isn't enough? Can't they conjure up some more stories on Michael Vick? Or Roy Halladay and Matt Holliday? What about the death of Arturo Gatti? And God forbid they report on the Gold Cup.
The story got even more ludicrous when Steve Spurrier admitted that it was his ballot which omitted Florida's Tebow, and backpedaled by saying it was "miscommunication" and asked for his vote to be changed.
Please. Have you no dignity? The coaches should be able to vote for any player they want, even if that means bypassing a Heisman winner and national champion.
Spurrier said that someone else from the program filled out his ballot, trying to parry the media's blame and weasel his way out of the situation. If this preseason all-SEC team is such a big deal, why is Spurrier handing the ballot off to some lackey?
Changing Spurrier's vote from Mississippi's Jevan Snead (who happened to hand Florida their only loss last season) to Tebow will change nothing. Tebow was still the all-SEC team's preseason quarterback, unanimous or not. It just shows how one man, Tim Tebow, has more unnecessary media attention than Tom Cruise's kid. Yes, Tebow is a great player and the best QB in the SEC; but why vote if the position has already been unofficially handed to the guy?
We may see this media hoopla from the BD Blog if I leave Notre Dame off of my preseason Top 25. I may be pressured because Chuck Weis is a better leader than Moses and Jimmy Clausen is apparently Brady Quinn v 2.0, but I'll stand by my ballot - which may or may not include Colorado. I'll keep my spine; I won't pull a Steve Spurrier.
The story got even more ludicrous when Steve Spurrier admitted that it was his ballot which omitted Florida's Tebow, and backpedaled by saying it was "miscommunication" and asked for his vote to be changed.
Please. Have you no dignity? The coaches should be able to vote for any player they want, even if that means bypassing a Heisman winner and national champion.
Spurrier said that someone else from the program filled out his ballot, trying to parry the media's blame and weasel his way out of the situation. If this preseason all-SEC team is such a big deal, why is Spurrier handing the ballot off to some lackey?
Changing Spurrier's vote from Mississippi's Jevan Snead (who happened to hand Florida their only loss last season) to Tebow will change nothing. Tebow was still the all-SEC team's preseason quarterback, unanimous or not. It just shows how one man, Tim Tebow, has more unnecessary media attention than Tom Cruise's kid. Yes, Tebow is a great player and the best QB in the SEC; but why vote if the position has already been unofficially handed to the guy?
We may see this media hoopla from the BD Blog if I leave Notre Dame off of my preseason Top 25. I may be pressured because Chuck Weis is a better leader than Moses and Jimmy Clausen is apparently Brady Quinn v 2.0, but I'll stand by my ballot - which may or may not include Colorado. I'll keep my spine; I won't pull a Steve Spurrier.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
I loathe that which I love
The Major League Baseball All-Star game has again descended upon the summer. America’s three other top sports leagues – the NFL, NHL, and NBA – will lie dormant another two, three, almost four months before playing meaningful games. There are no tennis matches. The fall semester isn’t even close for college football yet. You won’t hear a word on MLS or American soccer (what else is new) with David Beckham still a few days shy of his return to LA Galaxy. Tiger Woods will be perfecting his short game in Scotland. NASCAR is and will always be 43 automobiles driving in continual circles, burning through gasoline and rubber.
Baseball alone has the stage.
But yet again I find myself loathing our Past Time’s annual summer showcase. It has nothing to do with a lack of adulation for the game. You’re reading this straight off the fingertips of a true baseball fan. A man who considers himself the biggest fan of the game since Benny the Jet. A man who would buy season tickets and attend 81 games if he could somehow receive a decent salary and benefits package as an incentive to do so. A man who would readily throw down with anyone having the ignorant audacity to try and pin football as America’s new past time.
There are several reasons contributing to my disdain for Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game. I used to love the game, as any fan should. Bud Selig and baseball’s brass have made decisions that have turned the game into a mockery, and we’ve all been hoodwinked into thinking the game is better off for them.
It all began with the infamous All-Star Game tie of 2002, perhaps not so coincidentally held in Selig’s Milwaukee. With two outs in the bottom of the eleventh inning – game tied 7-7 and both squads with dugout and bullpen emptied – Seattle’s Freddy Garcia struck out San Francisco’s Benito Santiago to end the game. The decision to call the game a draw was over the concern for the incumbent pitchers, Garcia for the AL and Philadelphia’s Vicente Padilla for the NL. As an exhibition game, perhaps Selig could have told managers Joe Torre and Bob Brenly they could recycle pitchers and players. Regardless, Selig – in a rash attempt to save face – told us the next day that the game’s winner in future seasons would have home-field advantage for the World Series.
Honestly I don’t mind the concept. But baseball was proclaiming that the game would mean something, would be a real game. This is where the atrocities begin.
-Why does John Q. Baseball Fan still get to vote for the game’s starters? If this game is to be a real, competitive game, then why still hold a popularity contest? If you say it’s because the game is for the fans I’m going to punch you. The game honors baseball’s top performers for the first half of the season. Instead of voting for those players, fans ignore their consciences and vote for the Red Sox and Yankees to play as a mixed-squad. And great as he was, Cal Ripken Jr. did not deserve about a half-dozen of his All-Star appearances.
-If this game is really going to mean something and be played for a competitive purpose, why have each team represented? I for one am in full support of having a player from all 30 teams at the game. The game is a celebration of baseball. Though Oakland never seems to have a deserving player, their green cap should be on the field.
Additionally, why play every player on the team? If you really wanted to win the game, Albert Pujols gets to the plate as many times as possible.
-Another farce is the Final All-Star vote. “Here, Corey Hart, you were neither popular enough to be voted to the game nor good enough to be selected by manager Clint Hurdle; you won round two of voting among the B-tiered players in the NL. Welcome to the All-Star Game!” (Corey Hart incidentally cost me a game in Las Vegas when he robbed a home-run, but that’s beside my point. It’s just convenient that that s.o.b. was last year’s accessory player.)
-The Home Run Derby used to be a fun event to watch, and it’s on the way back. But under the cloud of steroids, HGH, and female fertility drugs, I find it hypocritical that baseball and its fans forget the shame of McGwire, Bonds, and Palmeiro et al for one night of mesmerizing moonshots. I too marvel at watching the players feast on batting practice meatballs, but there’s still that lingering suspicion.
So here is my solution to fix the Summer Classic:
1) Voting for the starters copies the method in place by the worst and least relevant of any league’s all-star game: the NFL’s Pro Bowl. Let the fans still vote, but that only counts for a portion of the final count. The remainder can come from the players and/or managers and/or GMs. This way Josh Hamilton won’t take up a spot on 2009’s team by riding the coattails of his spectacular 2008 season and Home Run Derby performance.
2) Eliminate the “last man in” vote. Just a ploy to get more people to MLB.com.
3) Every team will be represented. Yes, that means the Washington Generals will have a minor leaguer occupying a spot; but the Senators do deserve to be there. I don’t believe them, but Major League Baseball insists the Washington Oats are indeed a real Major League Baseball team. (This year is an exception, as Ryan Zimmerman is quietly having a great season.)
4) Every player does not have to play. Keep the game competitive by playing the best players, not by reverting to little league and letting each kid get a little dirt in his spikes. Remember when Lance Carter was the Devil Rays’ All-Star in 2003 and made the franchise proud by keeping the rosin bags handy in the bullpen? To your question of “Who?” I’ll simply respond by answering “Exactly. But every team was still represented.”
5) In the event of a tied ballgame in extra-innings with no player absent from the scorecard, let the managers recycle players and pitchers who played one inning or less.
There. The All-Star game would be restored to its past glory and would be balanced between a real game and a showcase and celebration of this magnificent game. Perhaps Terrence Mann said it best in "Field of Dreams":
Baseball alone has the stage.
But yet again I find myself loathing our Past Time’s annual summer showcase. It has nothing to do with a lack of adulation for the game. You’re reading this straight off the fingertips of a true baseball fan. A man who considers himself the biggest fan of the game since Benny the Jet. A man who would buy season tickets and attend 81 games if he could somehow receive a decent salary and benefits package as an incentive to do so. A man who would readily throw down with anyone having the ignorant audacity to try and pin football as America’s new past time.
There are several reasons contributing to my disdain for Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game. I used to love the game, as any fan should. Bud Selig and baseball’s brass have made decisions that have turned the game into a mockery, and we’ve all been hoodwinked into thinking the game is better off for them.
It all began with the infamous All-Star Game tie of 2002, perhaps not so coincidentally held in Selig’s Milwaukee. With two outs in the bottom of the eleventh inning – game tied 7-7 and both squads with dugout and bullpen emptied – Seattle’s Freddy Garcia struck out San Francisco’s Benito Santiago to end the game. The decision to call the game a draw was over the concern for the incumbent pitchers, Garcia for the AL and Philadelphia’s Vicente Padilla for the NL. As an exhibition game, perhaps Selig could have told managers Joe Torre and Bob Brenly they could recycle pitchers and players. Regardless, Selig – in a rash attempt to save face – told us the next day that the game’s winner in future seasons would have home-field advantage for the World Series.
Honestly I don’t mind the concept. But baseball was proclaiming that the game would mean something, would be a real game. This is where the atrocities begin.
-Why does John Q. Baseball Fan still get to vote for the game’s starters? If this game is to be a real, competitive game, then why still hold a popularity contest? If you say it’s because the game is for the fans I’m going to punch you. The game honors baseball’s top performers for the first half of the season. Instead of voting for those players, fans ignore their consciences and vote for the Red Sox and Yankees to play as a mixed-squad. And great as he was, Cal Ripken Jr. did not deserve about a half-dozen of his All-Star appearances.
-If this game is really going to mean something and be played for a competitive purpose, why have each team represented? I for one am in full support of having a player from all 30 teams at the game. The game is a celebration of baseball. Though Oakland never seems to have a deserving player, their green cap should be on the field.
Additionally, why play every player on the team? If you really wanted to win the game, Albert Pujols gets to the plate as many times as possible.
-Another farce is the Final All-Star vote. “Here, Corey Hart, you were neither popular enough to be voted to the game nor good enough to be selected by manager Clint Hurdle; you won round two of voting among the B-tiered players in the NL. Welcome to the All-Star Game!” (Corey Hart incidentally cost me a game in Las Vegas when he robbed a home-run, but that’s beside my point. It’s just convenient that that s.o.b. was last year’s accessory player.)
-The Home Run Derby used to be a fun event to watch, and it’s on the way back. But under the cloud of steroids, HGH, and female fertility drugs, I find it hypocritical that baseball and its fans forget the shame of McGwire, Bonds, and Palmeiro et al for one night of mesmerizing moonshots. I too marvel at watching the players feast on batting practice meatballs, but there’s still that lingering suspicion.
So here is my solution to fix the Summer Classic:
1) Voting for the starters copies the method in place by the worst and least relevant of any league’s all-star game: the NFL’s Pro Bowl. Let the fans still vote, but that only counts for a portion of the final count. The remainder can come from the players and/or managers and/or GMs. This way Josh Hamilton won’t take up a spot on 2009’s team by riding the coattails of his spectacular 2008 season and Home Run Derby performance.
2) Eliminate the “last man in” vote. Just a ploy to get more people to MLB.com.
3) Every team will be represented. Yes, that means the Washington Generals will have a minor leaguer occupying a spot; but the Senators do deserve to be there. I don’t believe them, but Major League Baseball insists the Washington Oats are indeed a real Major League Baseball team. (This year is an exception, as Ryan Zimmerman is quietly having a great season.)
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4) Every player does not have to play. Keep the game competitive by playing the best players, not by reverting to little league and letting each kid get a little dirt in his spikes. Remember when Lance Carter was the Devil Rays’ All-Star in 2003 and made the franchise proud by keeping the rosin bags handy in the bullpen? To your question of “Who?” I’ll simply respond by answering “Exactly. But every team was still represented.”
5) In the event of a tied ballgame in extra-innings with no player absent from the scorecard, let the managers recycle players and pitchers who played one inning or less.
There. The All-Star game would be restored to its past glory and would be balanced between a real game and a showcase and celebration of this magnificent game. Perhaps Terrence Mann said it best in "Field of Dreams":
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
There is still one last thing I hate about the All-Star game, something I thoroughly detest. The game is aired on FOX, which makes for a poor excuse for a big-time sporting event broadcast that does not involve 43 automobiles. And, of course, I’m forced to endure Joe Buck droning through the play by play and Tim McCarver fumbling through the commentary like he’s Brick Tamland.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Big East Baseball Tourney
The Big East Baseball Tournament was this past weekend in Florida, and there was a lot of rain, so the players had some time to kill and
This dance competition happened.
God bless college student-athletes for their good-naturedness.
This dance competition happened.
God bless college student-athletes for their good-naturedness.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Sundry
A great many things have happened in the past couple of weeks, so I've decided to touch on each of the following briefly. We'll start by continuing in the NBA playoffs:
What a shot from LeBron James. Facing an improbable 0-2 hole after losing just twice in Cleveland all season (once if you discount the finale in which James was in street clothes), James made the spectacular three that could be the impetus for a championship run. Had they gone to Orlando down 0-2, I wouldn't by any means count the Cavaliers out. But with Orlando letting a 2-0 record in Cleveland slip away, I may just count out the Magic. Hats off to you, Bernie Blozar.
However, Kobe Bryant has shown that he may be the NBA's best shooter. The Lakers look to be in top form with Pau Gasol and Trevor Ariza stepping up to bat behind Bryant. The Nuggets played poorly down the stretch at home in game three. They'll need more consistent, smarter, and generally less stupid play from J.R. Smith to even back up the series.
In the NHL, Pittsburgh is making minced meat of the Carolina Hurricanes. Sidney Crosby and especially Evgeni Malkin look unstoppable. After the thrilling series against Washington - capped by a thorough game seven beatdown - Pittsburgh hasn't at all slowed down against a Carolina team who won their own road game seven against the top-seeded Boston Bruins.
Meanwhile, the Blackhawks gutted out an OT victory after Cristobal Huet relieved starter Nikolai Khabibulin to claw back into their series with Cup holders Detroit. Sorry The Doob, but perhaps the Caps should have tried harder to retain Huet so they didn't go into that game seven with tenderfoot Ernie Varlamov and your boy Jose as their options between the pipes.
Filly Rachel Alexandra galloped to the Preakness crown ahead of Kentucky Derby champ Mine That Bird. Still no Triple Crown winner since 1978, though jockey Calvin Borel has set himself up for a possible personal treble. With me selecting Musket Man to win (who finished a respectable third), I have still never picked a winning horse.
(On that note, I'll be in Vegas shortly and am willing to place bets for any BD bloggers for a small rake.)
Manny Pacquiao obliterated Briton Ricky Hatton, again proving to be boxing's best. After he won me some money as the underdog against Oscar de la Hoya, I put my bet on Pacman to win by decision against The Hitman. No payday was to come when Pacquiao felled Hatton twice in the first and once in the second and final round. I think Money May should stay retired. But he is a retired boxer with the nickname "Money," so look for a Pacquiao-Mayweather bout in the future.
Nearly two months have passed in the baseball season, and, after a rocky start, the Yankees have put it together to be fighting at the top of their division with Boston and Toronto (behind Roy Halladay's golden Denver arm). As long as those three teams stay at the top, that means the Devil Rays aren't. For that I would be thankful.
The Florida Marlins began the season at 11-1, but followed that up with a seven game losing streak. On top of that, they've won just eight games since. I predict the Mets will lead that division when September hits and then, as is customary, concede to Philadelphia in the final two weeks. And yes, the Washington Oats are indeed the worst team in baseball.
In other news, Manny Ramirez takes female fertility drugs and the Rockies are in last place.
In Europe's top three soccer leagues, global recession-proof Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Barcelona have given a bit of credence to the idea that money can buy championships. On the contrary, Juventus failed miserably in their attempt a few years back.
Apparently the WNBA season is just around the corner. At least that's what the advertisements in NBA playoff arenas tell me. And here I thought the league folded. Who wants to place a bet on when that actually happens?
10:1 within two years
What a shot from LeBron James. Facing an improbable 0-2 hole after losing just twice in Cleveland all season (once if you discount the finale in which James was in street clothes), James made the spectacular three that could be the impetus for a championship run. Had they gone to Orlando down 0-2, I wouldn't by any means count the Cavaliers out. But with Orlando letting a 2-0 record in Cleveland slip away, I may just count out the Magic. Hats off to you, Bernie Blozar.
However, Kobe Bryant has shown that he may be the NBA's best shooter. The Lakers look to be in top form with Pau Gasol and Trevor Ariza stepping up to bat behind Bryant. The Nuggets played poorly down the stretch at home in game three. They'll need more consistent, smarter, and generally less stupid play from J.R. Smith to even back up the series.
In the NHL, Pittsburgh is making minced meat of the Carolina Hurricanes. Sidney Crosby and especially Evgeni Malkin look unstoppable. After the thrilling series against Washington - capped by a thorough game seven beatdown - Pittsburgh hasn't at all slowed down against a Carolina team who won their own road game seven against the top-seeded Boston Bruins.
Meanwhile, the Blackhawks gutted out an OT victory after Cristobal Huet relieved starter Nikolai Khabibulin to claw back into their series with Cup holders Detroit. Sorry The Doob, but perhaps the Caps should have tried harder to retain Huet so they didn't go into that game seven with tenderfoot Ernie Varlamov and your boy Jose as their options between the pipes.
Filly Rachel Alexandra galloped to the Preakness crown ahead of Kentucky Derby champ Mine That Bird. Still no Triple Crown winner since 1978, though jockey Calvin Borel has set himself up for a possible personal treble. With me selecting Musket Man to win (who finished a respectable third), I have still never picked a winning horse.
(On that note, I'll be in Vegas shortly and am willing to place bets for any BD bloggers for a small rake.)
Manny Pacquiao obliterated Briton Ricky Hatton, again proving to be boxing's best. After he won me some money as the underdog against Oscar de la Hoya, I put my bet on Pacman to win by decision against The Hitman. No payday was to come when Pacquiao felled Hatton twice in the first and once in the second and final round. I think Money May should stay retired. But he is a retired boxer with the nickname "Money," so look for a Pacquiao-Mayweather bout in the future.
Nearly two months have passed in the baseball season, and, after a rocky start, the Yankees have put it together to be fighting at the top of their division with Boston and Toronto (behind Roy Halladay's golden Denver arm). As long as those three teams stay at the top, that means the Devil Rays aren't. For that I would be thankful.
The Florida Marlins began the season at 11-1, but followed that up with a seven game losing streak. On top of that, they've won just eight games since. I predict the Mets will lead that division when September hits and then, as is customary, concede to Philadelphia in the final two weeks. And yes, the Washington Oats are indeed the worst team in baseball.
In other news, Manny Ramirez takes female fertility drugs and the Rockies are in last place.
In Europe's top three soccer leagues, global recession-proof Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Barcelona have given a bit of credence to the idea that money can buy championships. On the contrary, Juventus failed miserably in their attempt a few years back.
Apparently the WNBA season is just around the corner. At least that's what the advertisements in NBA playoff arenas tell me. And here I thought the league folded. Who wants to place a bet on when that actually happens?
10:1 within two years
Sunday, May 3, 2009
NBA round two
Reviewing my picks from the first round, I was spot on with the 1-8 and 2-7 series in each conference: Cleveland over Detroit in four; Boston over Chicago in seven; Los Angeles over Utah in five; Denver over New Orleans in five.
I picked Orlando in five over Philadelphia and it took them six. I said I didn't trust the 76ers, and they held true by not laying down for one of their two wins as I predicted.
I knew the Atlanta-Miami series would go to seven, but I thought Miami would come out on top, even though game seven was to be in Atlanta - the worst sports town in America. But what I didn't see coming was the atrocious basketball these teams played from start to finish. Just one game was within ten points, and each game was a laugher.
Two series made me to look like a fool, with Dallas whipping San Antonio around after I thought the Spurs could eke the series out in seven. This is the official end to the Spurs 'dynasty' from the past decade. Then there was Houston dispensing Portland in six, the exact opposite of what I foresaw.
Overall I'm pleased with my performance, much more so than I was after picking Hold Me Back to win the Kentucky Derby. Finishing 12th after I put $5 on him wasn't too kind. He beat out Dunkirk (11th) and Friesan Fire (18th - the odds-on favorite at post-time) for my ticket.
But on to round two of the NBA playoffs:
Cleveland over Atlanta in four
Boston over Orlando in seven
Los Angeles over Houston in five
Denver over Dallas in six
I picked Orlando in five over Philadelphia and it took them six. I said I didn't trust the 76ers, and they held true by not laying down for one of their two wins as I predicted.
I knew the Atlanta-Miami series would go to seven, but I thought Miami would come out on top, even though game seven was to be in Atlanta - the worst sports town in America. But what I didn't see coming was the atrocious basketball these teams played from start to finish. Just one game was within ten points, and each game was a laugher.
Two series made me to look like a fool, with Dallas whipping San Antonio around after I thought the Spurs could eke the series out in seven. This is the official end to the Spurs 'dynasty' from the past decade. Then there was Houston dispensing Portland in six, the exact opposite of what I foresaw.
Overall I'm pleased with my performance, much more so than I was after picking Hold Me Back to win the Kentucky Derby. Finishing 12th after I put $5 on him wasn't too kind. He beat out Dunkirk (11th) and Friesan Fire (18th - the odds-on favorite at post-time) for my ticket.
But on to round two of the NBA playoffs:
Cleveland over Atlanta in four
Boston over Orlando in seven
Los Angeles over Houston in five
Denver over Dallas in six
Saturday, May 2, 2009
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