Hello Gabbers, its been a while since we have chatted last hope everything has been going well for you and the teams that you follow. I found out while I was away that people can be ignorant at best, in how they handle situations and if things keep going the way they are I will be divorced by the end of the summer. But on to the things at hand, I have something sports related issues that I want to get off my chest, I am going to start with a little issue related to baseball that I got into a discussion with a friend of mine at work today.

Craig and I were sitting in the break room eating lunch and shooting the shit about our fantasy teams like we always do, when he brought up J.A. Happ taking one of the side of his head last night, thank God he is alright, a cut and a bruise at best, no concussion. Anyway, Craig brought up instant replay and how he thought it should be used in baseball, and if they had a more broader use of instant replay they could have overruled Jim Joyce's blown call that cost Armando Gallaraga his perfect game and more or less ruin his major league career from that point on. My argument is this: in baseball its used exclusively for home run calls which I understand, because after all you are expecting old men with poor vision to make a judgment call from 200 feet or more away which can be rather difficult at times which is fine with me. I mentioned hockey's use of replay for goal scoring only more or less, the puck travels at 100+ miles per hour for which it can be in and out before the referee and goal judge see it, so I can live with that. What do you guys think?

How many of you Bruins fans are getting a chuckle out of the Ottawa-Montreal series, with the Sen's leading it 3-1 going into Game 5? I know I am, somebody should have told the Penguins and Canadians that the Islanders and Senators were going to show up, and play them tough. What a bunch of dumbasses if they thought those two teams were just going to roll over and let them win. Also who would have thought the Canucks would go down in 4 to the Sharks, wouldn't be surprised to see the coach and a lot of player turn over this summer in Vancouver. Sorry Beeze, the Rangers-Capitals series means nothing to me right now, have not watched enough of that one to form an opinion.

If you can't tell I really could care less about the NBA playoffs, for whatever reason I am not interested what-so-ever. I have watched about 5 minutes of the playoffs because I am more interested in watching the NHL and the Tigers.  I know most of all the Astros were glad to see them leave Houston last weekend, getting swept and nearly no-hit by Verlander on Sunday.....

Which NBC dumbass decided to pull the plug on Faith Hill? She was sometimes better than the football game they would show on Sunday night. Oh yes and finally, a little something for the Beeze.....

Finally this one is for Sully, I want to thank him for inviting me to take Old Harry's place this week while he is visiting with his daughter. Hope you have a great time with her Harry as she is home on leave from the Marines. I wish her well, and hope she remains safe as she serves for our country.....

This may even get Old Harry's blood flowing, along with a few others who are from that area. May everyone remain safe, until we meet again.........

Besides having one of the most unfortunate names in the history of baseball, Gaylord Perry was a tremendously accomplished pitcher. A veteran of 22 seasons with 8 different teams, Perry won 314 games against 265 losses, posted a career ERA of 3.11, and struck out 3534 batters during his career. In the process, Perry was the 1978 Cy Young award winner and was selected to five All-Star teams.  In 1991, Perry was selected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Gaylord Perry was also a cheater.

Over the course of his 22-year career, Perry was known for his use of the spitball, the “puffball”, and also scuffing and cutting baseballs. His former manager, Gene Mauch, was even vocal to the point where he thought Perry’s plaque in the Hall of Fame should have a tube of KY Jelly adhered to it.

So why is Perry relevant today?

Well, the color-commentary announcers for the Toronto Blue Jays, Jack Morris and Dirk Hayhurst, have accused Boston Red Sox pitchers Clay Buchholz and Junichi Tazawa of “loading up” the baseball in a similar fashion. In their accusations, they have noted that Boston pitchers are reaching their forearms and rubbing what appears to be a foreign substance from their arms on the baseball. The accusations arose after Buchholz moved to 6-0, shutting down the Blue Jays offense on Wednesday night.

Here is the accusation from Hayhurst on Twitter:

Forget the hair, I just saw video of Buchholz loading the ball with some Eddie Harris worthy slick'em painted up his left forearm. Wow.

— Dirk Hayhurst (@TheGarfoose) May 2, 2013

Is it a real issue? That’s hard to pick out, as only Buchholz, Tazawa, and any umpire that checks them going forward will know.

However, the practice of rubbing rosen and sweat from the forearm is hardly proprietary to the Red Sox alone, as pitchers all around the game do it in order to improve their grip on the baseball. In fact, Red Sox catcher, Jarrod Saltalamacchia was quick to note that Toronto pitcher J.A. Happ was going to his right forearm throughout the game as well.

"I saw [J.A.] Happ all night going to his forearm. Is he doing something?" Boston catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said about Toronto's starter. "For them to point out one guy or two guys, I don't think that's right."

What it actually stinks of is the desperation of one team trying to drum up something that will fire a fan base back up.

Aside from the obvious success that the Red Sox have enjoyed in 2013, there is also the John Farrell component. The Toronto media, front office, and fan base are all still equally bitter about the way Farrell left his role as Toronto’s manager in order to take on the same role in Boston.  Add in the fact that he has been able to turn them back into a winner, something he was unable to do in Toronto, and all of a sudden everyone is Sherlock Holmes and there is a mystery afoot.

In the end, what this does is create an unfair stigma around Buchholz and the rest of the Red Sox pitching staff and is going to prompt other managers to stall the game during strong outings and ask for an inspection on suspicion alone.

The fact that is comes from a radio play-by-play guy on a hunch after watching tape is simply ridiculous. Jack, you’re better than this.

Oh, and as a closing note, Sportsnet.ca and Fan 590 are owned and operated by Rogers Communications. Anyone want to take a guess who owns the Toronto Blue Jays?

Would you have a problem with having an openly gay teammate?

It is the Monday after the NFL Draft, and I don't know about you, but I need a bath...Why you ask? Well, I live in Cleveland...And after this draft, it really fucking stinks in here!

There is this thing in Cleveland when everyone gets their hopes up when the Draft rolls around...Sadly, since 1999 the Browns have had a lot more misses then hits...In April Browns fans are blindly optimistic, lead by the Cleveland media that is more often than not blindly swinging on the nuts of the team, and believing everything they say to be gospel...There are very few who are willing to criticize the team on draft weekend, and those who do, like me, get shouted down....

Example: When the Browns took Notre Dame Safety Jamoris Slaughter in the 6th round, I voiced my displeasure with this move...You know I love ND, and I like Slaughter, but kid played 3 games, and tore his Achilles last year....The year before he missed most the season after a shoulder injury...He was only in the draft because the NCAA disallowed a second medical redshirt...Yes, he's a big hitter...But he's a small guy, just under 6 ft. and 195 pounds...So of course it was tweeted at me that in 39 games he made 98 tackles...Big fucking deal...Former ND safety, now Vikings safety made 93 tackles in one season...Another ND Safety, Zeke Motta, taken in the 7th round by the Falcons made 77 tackles this year...Why the fuck wouldn't you take the heavy hitter that he is, instead of the guy who has been hurt the last two seasons?

Another asshole tweeted at me, "You know it's the 6th round?" Yeah dick face...I also know there are better players and players who aren't hurt out there! Everyone at 92.3 the Fan are fucking idiots, who just got the rights top air the Browns games this season, so they're all afraid to be fucking honest...

Then they start tweeting that Mike Mayock was raving about the Browns getting Slaughter...Well no shit...He gets one of his paychecks doing color for Notre Dame games...He's not gonna blast a ND guy...Fucking tools!

The Browns first round pick, Barkevious Mingo, DE from LSU...Fine pick there...They had no 2nd round pick...They gave that up when they took Josh Gordon in the supplemental draft last year...Fine...Kid has skills...3rd round they took CB, Leon McFadden from San Diego St....WTF! Kid is 5-9...I like my corners a little taller...Kid ran a 4.5 40...I like my corners faster, especially if they are short...Kid was projected as a 6th rounder....Of fucking course he was! Then they show a quick video of him...The clip showed him getting beat by a WR 4-5 inches taller and if the QB could hadn't overthrown it, it's a TD...

No worries, the Browns have more picks...Wait, they traded a 4th and 5th to the Dolphins for Devone Bess...Okay, so adding him, plus the recent acquisition of David Nelson, the Browns are okay at WR...Then they traded another 4th round pick to Pittsburgh for their 4th round pick next year...Then they traded another 5th round pick to the Colts for their 5th round pick next year...Okay, so they are already throwing in the towel on this year's draft...Got it...

In the 7th round they drafted two guys, one DE and one OL, both from division 2 schools...Listen, no offense to D-2 guys, but if you wanted them, you probably could have signed them as rookie free agents...The DE has a great history of getting busted for selling dope to undercover police...TWICE! Great pick...Then the Browns went and signed Notre Dame C/G Braxston Cave...(Finally a smart move)...They also locked up Bess for 3 years...

The media kept saying this draft was weak...Light in star players...So maybe be smart and load up on depth...Like the Patriots who traded out of the 1st round (29 overall) for a 2,3,4,and 7th round picks...Oh, and they made a trade Jeff Demps and a 7 for LaGarrette Blount...The depth they added...2 WR, OLB, ILB, CB, S, and DE...3 players, all on Defense from Rutgers...I guess Bill liked something he saw from the Scarlet Knights D...

All I know for sure, is a couple months back I talked about me and my sports fandom being free agents when it comes to the NFL and MLB, because the Browns and Indians make me sick...I gave my baseball fandom to The Nationals with an eye on the Orioles and Pirates...In the NFL I talked about the Seahawks and Patriots...Yeah, sticking with that...The Browns proved me right this weekend...All I had to see was what the Bengals and Steelers, and Ravens were doing in the draft...Ravens looking to fill holes and maintain...Steelers and Bengals looking to get better...And they both did...The Browns look like they are maintaining...Only problem is, no one should want to maintain when you are a perennial loser!

-Other Draft news...Matt Barkley proved something I've known for awhile...USC QB's are overrated...4th round to Philly...Ouch...Which of their 4 QB's will stay and which will go?

Geno Smith doesn't go in the 1st round, which is hilarious since both ESPN and NFL network filled their promo shit with him...Lucky guy then goes to the Jets...Clearly the Jets wanted to lead the league in drama again...6 QB's now...Including the hack, Mark Sanchez, and the media darling Tim Tebow, now adding Smith who has already shown what a twat he is by tweeting his smarmy feelings to scouts and draft "experts"...Kid is going to flop...Especially going to that environment...

What I watched of the draft I watched on the NFL Network...ESPN is awful...I can't stand Berman, Gruden, and Kiper...How is it old Mel keeps his job...All this guy does is analyze players for the draft, and he is religiously wrong...Mayock is a douche, but he's right a lot more than the dopes on ESPN....

But then the NFL Network guys got on my nerves when they wouldn't shut up about Manti Te'o...People, you want to know why he slipped? Watch the National Championship game again...Missed tackle after missed tackle...Found himself out of position to make plays for the first time all year...On the biggest stage...With a cloud of lies hanging over his head about a fake, dead girlfriend...It's not the girlfriend shit...It's not even the slow 40 time...It's that game, and how he got owned...I knew he'd get drafted...There is too much potential there not too...But 1st round...No way...hey, lucky for him, he's going to San Diego...Wasn't his girl in the Hospital there!?!

-The NHL playoffs will get started this week...My NY Rangers are playing well and seem to have it all together at the right time...They'll start off with The Washington Capitals...Hopefully they roll right through them...Rick Nash finally gets to take his game to the Playoffs...Looking to see him shine...I'm feeling so confident that I have excepted a bet friendly blogging bet on this series with SunTzu4m!

Chicago is the favorite out West, but they open up with the Minnesota Wild who have been a pain in their ass this year...The Wild have invested a lot this year...They want to win now...Should be an interesting goaltending battle between The Wild's Backstrom and The Blackhawks' Crawford...Both teams have firepower, so it will come down to which goalie can steal a game or two.

-This coming Saturday we have the Kentucky Derby...I love Derby day...We get the kids together and all pick horses...The kids have done well the last few years...Always a good time...Maybe I'll give them a couple Mint Juleps...Make it easier to take their money!

Have a week...

The Beeze

The new sports spectacular that is the NFL brings us the draft this week - woohoo!  It is the annual ritual of creating hope for the hopeless and young millionaires out of young men who have never played a down in the NFL.  

(Speaking of millionaires, isn't great to know our Congress can get money to help them get out of DC for the air traffic controllers but no so much for a lot of other things that don't impact them?  As a frequent flier, I am glad the air traffic controllers are back, but it seems like not a very fair situation to me.) 

The NFL Draft has become one of the staples of the spring sports calendar but I really can't see why so many follow this with the focus of an NFL General Manager.  After the first 5 or 10 guys, or even the first round, does anyone know who any of these guys are?  OK, well maybe Mel Kiper does, but who is he?  Actually, I give Mel credit for creating his own cottege industry.  He started it years ago by publishing his annual breakdown of college talent and when ESPN got into the act, Mel somehow got on TV.  You can see why they only put him on once a year - he has a face better suited for radio.  I admit to tracking the Redskins picks over the years because generally they have been in the top 5 or 10...and then they previously picked so poorly, it had entertainment value.  But for people following picks in Round 7, I recommend they seek professional counseling - or better yet, go outside and play catch or hit a golf ball - do something.

So the Chiefs and everyone else fairly well focused on linemen in the first round.  Not too much celebrity power in that! Manti Te'o and Geno Smith did not go until Round 2.  Maybe that was a little bit of a story, but I thought Te'o was crushed by Alabama - it reminded me of Heath Shuler who was mauled in the Sugar Bowl but still got drafted #1 by the Redskins...after his cup of coffee in the NFL, he ended up where?  you guessed it - Congress!  The cycle is complete.

The Redskins drafted sensibly with a CB and a TE...fine by me.  I am sure they are fine young men and I hope they help the team...we shall see what happens.  How did your team do?  Any major observations?  Any Jets fans out there - how do you feel about Geno Smith taking over for the perpetually over-rated Mark Sanchez on the perpetually over-hyped Jets.  (Really, is there any team that gets more undeserving coverage than the Jets?  After Joe Namath, what have they ever really done other than always get picked to do something and then lose?  They have a blow-hard coach and a below average talent team.  Thanks ESPN).

NHL Playoff Time has Finally Arrived!

In about a week and a half, we are going to start to see the first of 8 line ups to shake hands as the first round of the NHL playoffs will be drawing to a close.  In the East we have the 8 teams...Pittsburgh, Boston, Washington & Montreal as the top 4 seeds and then Toronto, both New York Teams and Ottawa to round out the field.  I feel fairly confident Boston & Pittsburgh will be in round 2 no matter who they play.  A Toronto - Montreal match up would be fun just from a nostalgia situation and I guess I am a closet Leaf fan so I hope they would win that series.  It would seem like the Capitals have good momentum, and I will still pick them to eek through to round 2 because I love what Adam Oates has done as a coach...but after 35 years of playoff heartbreak, I am well-prepared for the opposite outcome. 

In the West, will Columbus get in and force out either Minnesota or end the Red Wings run of 21 years of playoff appearances?   Whoever gets in is rewarded with a series with the Blackhawks - go luck with that.  Anaheim, Vancouver and St. Louis round out the top 4 in the West and they will be going up against LA, San Jose and then two of the three aforementioned teams.  Again, it would be hard to believe Chicago and Anaheim won't push through into the second round, although I will be watching how Bruce Boudreau does with Anaheim.  He really struggled coaching in the playoffs in DC.  I like Bruce, so I hope he does well.  Beyond that, the other two California teams would seem to be dangerous foes - San Jose and the defending champ Kings are my picks to rounds out the west.

Bryce Harper at 20... Maybe the Best 20 Year Old Ever

Do yourself a favor and watch a couple of Nationals games or at least catch a few of Bryce Harper's at bats.  This kid is really something special.  The kid is 20 years old and here is his April line:

AVG: .363

HR:  8

RBI: 16

OBP: .440

SLG:  .750

Those are almost unbelievable...consider he was hitting .400 in Spring Training.  He is the closest thing to The Natural that I have ever seen and I am lucky enough to see him play every night.  I am going to the game tomorrow and since Dan Haren is pitching, the Nats are going to have to hit to get a win.  I hope to see a little more of the Bryce Harper Legend just like I did on Opening Day.   The kid plays ball with passion - I love it!

I am really going to have to be on my toes next week as I will be reporting from Ireland.  A traveler has to go where a traveler has to go.  And a Top of the Mornin' to You, Laddy!