Hello and welcome to another Wednesday of deep thoughts. What happened to global warming? It is mid May and normally, Austin is well on the way to summer. Not this year…pleasant and comfortable is what we have had of late. Of course, that means that others are still waiting for the warm up. I always find it interesting that “experts” talk of trends in weather in the past 100 years. Hell…that is not a trend; that is just a blip. Perspective is an interesting thing. Would you find advice from an 80 year old guy more valuable than a 20 year old? How about a weatherman that was 2000 years old? Now that is a guy that I would tune into listen to. Beezer and BOB touched on something that has been bothering me for awhile. As BOB mentioned yesterday, Tim Tebow cannot find a team willing to put up with the circus that comes with Tebow the football player. Beezer brought out the fact that the “hero” in Cleveland is perhaps not such a great guy after all. Many will say that Tebow is a victim of his popularity that he willingly fed. I guess that is fair, but is really true? From everything that I have heard, Tebow is a very hard working kid that loves to play the game. I am not a fan, but I can see that he has talent to play the game. What is it about Tebow that the media loves? Is it that he was a personality in college and has failed to find success in the NFL? Fans expect, no that is not the right word…we demand players to be available to the media. Usually, players adopt a mask for the camera and use clichés to avoid offering any real depth to who they really are. With Tebow, we get a player that appears to offer us something more than clichés. In doing so, Tim Tebow now understands the dark side of overexposure.
I read this week that Vinny Testerverde and Chris Weinke spent time in the off season working with Tim Tebow. They quickly learned that it was not his throwing motion that caused Tebow’s inaccuracy, but his horrible footwork. After correcting his footwork, his passes had sizzle and repeatedly were true. I also read that the Jets ruined Tebow’s chances of playing in the NFL. I would really like for this kid to get a chance to play. As of now, the only team interested is Jaworski’s AFL team. Tebow has not expressed any interest in arena football at this time.
We live in what has been described as an information age. It is impossible to ignore the many wonderful advances that technology has provided. With the good, comes the bad. With regards to the media and the manner that information is dispersed, I am done…kaput; sick and tired. Emails, twitter, TV, radio…each day such a giant tidal wave of information pours out that I find myself pulling back. Now, of course information is a good thing. It is just the way that the message is being delivered that I have such a problem with. Dig, dig and dig some more is what many media sources do. Why is it that each story must contain drama? Is it because that we want to find the bad stuff that surely must be hidden? I don’t know the Ramsey guy in Cleveland from Jack Shit and really don’t understand why his past is an issue. Except that it gives the media something to dig up and hold up as a trophy of sorts. See, this Good Samaritan is really not such a good guy at all. Look what we found…in the end, we forget that the guy did a really good thing in saving the three women from a horrible existence. Ramsey obviously has had issues in his past. He was punished for his bad behavior and it is not for me to judge his worth as a person, now. Obviously there is a need for this type of coverage because the media finds a large willing market. Maybe it is just me?
I suppose it is rather Pollyanna of me to wish for a simpler time. A time when we accepted things at face value without searching for the bad.. Naive, perhaps…but so much easier in so many ways.
Baseball fans are really big on maintaining the integrity of the game. When a player is “tainted” with real or alleged use of peds, he is completely written off by many fans. I constantly hear it said that players cheating are cheating the game. Why do these same fans not see that horrible umpiring also presents the same threat to the integrity of baseball? Frequently, I hear…”let’s not mess with the “human” element that umpires bring to the game.” I am sorry folks; you can’t take one without the other. A threat is a threat nonetheless. Why should we allow umpires to miss a home run that could have changed the outcome of a game? How can an umpire have access to replays that clearly indicated home run and still get it wrong? How can an umpire not know the rules required for a pitching change? Why allow a manager to protest a game without ever changing the outcome? I can recall one game that was replayed because of a protest…the pine tar game. If ever a game should have been redone it was the game that Oakland lost to Cleveland. Rule the ball a home run and finish the game from that point. I was listening to an interesting story with regards to the pine tar game that I had forgotten. When the Yankees and Royals met to replay the end of the game that allowed George Brett’s home run… Billy Martin appealed that Brett missed first base, then second and third base. The umpiring crew ruled that he was safe in touching all of the bases. Martin screamed, how can you say he touched the bases, you were not even here! Well, Billy we talked to the other crew and they said he touched the bases. Talk about covering all of your bases!! I have to admit that I had my mind changed this week. I work with a guy that is an umpire for high school games locally. I was asking the question why umpires get a pass from the media. Players and coaches alike have to endure the grilling after a game…why don’t umpires? My friend pointed out that umps are not supposed to be a personality. The problem that he sees is that many of these guys have too much personality and ego. By putting them in front of the camera or having their name put in print, we remove the anonymity that an umpire is supposed to have. An impartial judge is the job and I have to agree that he is right. Let’s give the umpires better tools to do their job and get rid of the few tools that wear blue and threaten the integrity of the game.
For all the complaining about baseball, there are also many great things about the game. Here is something that is an example of something that is wonderful about baseball. Think Ryu is now a favorite of this kid? Awesome...
I have not followed the NBA much this year, but do know that everyone was singing the praises of Seth Curry. Golden State was going to knock the Spurs out. Spurs were too old…yadda yadda. Looks like the Spurs had a different idea on Tuesday night. Curry had touted that they were the greatest backcourt in history…Curry had 9 points Tuesday night. Reminds me of the great quote by Samuel Clemens…”reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.” Somehow the Spurs get it done…when Pop is done coaching, we will look back and realize what a great coach he was. What a great defensive team coached by a tough minded coach.
That’s all I have today, but I will leave you with a bit of Jack Handey…
“If I had a nickname, I would want it to be” Prince of Weasels”, because then I could go up and bite people and they would turn around and go…”What the…?”And then they would recognize me and say, ‘Oh, it’s you, the Prince of Weasels”. “
“I hope when they die that cartoon characters have to answer for their sins.”
That’s all I have for today, but feel free to leave a few deep thoughts of your own.
Given that Tebow has made it clear he wants out of NY, where does he go, and is he going to be behind center or will he be used as a TE or Back? And who in their right mind will sign him?
Well here we are again...Monday just gets here too quick...So let's start with this "Hunger Games" fad...I've been hearing about this movie long enough...So the Mrs. and I went to see it Sunday...No, I haven't read the books, since that's the first fucking question everyone asks when this damn movie is mentioned...And guess what, I'm not going to...I saw the movie, so if I read the book, I'll hate the movie even more, at least that's what happens often...
Okay, I didn't totally hate the movie...It kept my attention...But this bullshit, fantasy-land, run by Donald Sutherland, and his TV producers, pisses me off...As much as the politicians, corporations, and rich douches, control in this country, I have more faith in humanity, then to think we would stand by and be ruled like the people in this movie...
Then there is the violence...I've never had a problem with violence in movies...And I don't have a problem with it in this movie...It's part of the story...Personally, the idea of kids killing kids didn't appeal to me, and I didn't really like watching it...Hey, I know kids are dying violent deaths everyday, and it's awful...Shit the Trayvon Martin shooting has been pounded in our heads non-stop...Odd how no one is talking about THIS story of two black teens lighting a white teen on fire...Yeah, this white boy just played the race card! But that's for tomorrow blog...
Maybe it's because I'm a parent, I don't know, I just didn't like the idea of this movie...Then there was the fact, that it was too long...Some parts were just slow...My wife liked it more, and plans on reading the books...She also is on board too see the sequel...I already told her, "I've invested too much time in this shit!"
Then Sunday night, we watched another movie that has been hyped up for awhile...We watched "Bridesmaids"...Mother fuckers kept saying how it's like "The Hangover"...Not even close! Yeah, it had some funny bits, and some good lines...But then it was filled with all this nonsensical, pity-party, chick bullshit...And talk about too long...Way too much wasted time...I found myself saying, "When are they going to wrap this up already." If you compared this movie to "The Hangover" please punch yourself...
I sat down to write this blog, wanting nearly 5 hours of my day back...Honest to God, I feel like Sunday was a total waste for having watched these fucking, over-hyped, fucking movies...Some one needs to eat my ass!
-How about sports!?!
For the first time in my life, it looks like I may win money in a Bracket Pool...I have Kansas and Kentucky in the final, and I'm pretty sure no one in The Fish House Bracket can catch me...I hope not, because even though I have Kentucky winning it all, I won't be rooting for them...Not after seeing how the Kentucky students and fans reacted after beating Louisville Saturday
Seriously! Why the fuck are people still rioting after their teams win...And fuck Kentucky, you didn't even win anything yet! Shit, at least Vancouver waits until they lose before they go and throw a fucking riot...Not only do I hope Kentucky loses, but I hope everyone of their players rolls their ankles...Fuck them!
-I heard Jeremy Lin is hurt, and may be done for the season...GOOD! no people can stop talking about how great he is...And then about how great he isn't...Then is...Then isn't...Fuck him! Now can somebody put a bullet in Tim Tebow...Never before has a backup QB gotten so much coverage...Fucking private jets and press conferences for a backup...And fucking ESPN Radio can't stop talking about this shit...Even with the Final Four going on, they still slip in some Tebow talk every twenty minutes...Fuck him, and fuck them...
You shits-heads want to talk New York sports, talk about the actual good team you have...The league leading New York Rangers! My boys lost Sunday night to the Bruins, but I have no worries...This team is build to win, and their record proves that...And they'll finish the job in the playoffs...
So to recap...Fuck "The Hunger Games." Fuck "Bridesmaids." Fuck anyone who said it was as good as "The Hangover." Fuck Kentucky, and their fucking fans...Fuck Jeremy Lin and Tim Tebow, and the ESPN hype-machine...Show some respect to the New York Rangers...Watch Hockey...Look for my blog tomorrow about the Trayvon Martin shooting, and the media's fucked up coverage...Oh, and Fuck Mega Millions, since I didn't win!
ScottJax asks the question no one in the media has asked, or said about Tim Tebow. Will his words cause controversy?? Old Players in the NBA?? WrestleMania hits Random Thoughts?? Brooklyn Nets?? All this and more in this weeks edition of….
Wow, I never thought I get Jacksonville’s own, Tim Tebow, “Tebowing” for me. Thanks Tim. By the way, my son goes to the same Church as Tim and has talked to him on many occasions. He is a nice fellow and when it comes to his “faith” he is the real deal.
The provocative question is later on in the blog
Okay Gabbers. ScottJax has posted his annual WrestleMania predications. They can viewed here:
Please feel free to give me who you think will win each match.
How would you like to be left out of a game because your old? Well it happen to Tim Duncan. The Spurs were playing their third game in three nights and they gave him the night off. So the official scorer listed Duncan as DND (Did Not Dress) - Old.
A column by Peter Veceey, who says its from multiple sources, is saying that the Nets are targeting Kevin Garnett (restricted free agent), Ryan Anderson (restricted free agent and a player the Nets drafted and then traded away) and Ersan Ilyasova (unrestricted free agent), while renouncing the rights to Kris Humphries. The Nets are saying they want a stronger rebounded to play alongside Brook Lopez.
While Kris Humphries (27 years old) has never been a scoring machine, nor rebounded, since he has been a Net he is averaging a double-double. How many NBA players can say that? He averages 11.9 points a game and 11 rebounds a game. Garnett is on the downside of his career, this year is averaging 15.3 points and 8.3 rebounds. He turns 36 in May. Anderson is 23 years old and is averaging 10.1 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game and Ilyasova is 24 years old and is averaging 9.4 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Any of these players better rebounders than Kris Humphries???
Got to get rid of Billy King, he is going to kill the Nets.
Oh no the trading for Tim Tebow was not a publicity stunt. Then how come the team is had a press conference to introduce a back-up quarterback. There was no coach, owner or players at the conference. Yep they really, really want him.
Jet’s are just starved for attention.
Here is the question that no one, that I have heard or read has mentioned:
An honest question deserves an honest answer
If Tim Tebow was any religion other than a Christian, would he have still gotten this same coverage. NOT!!
Frank McCourt buys the Dodgers, the stadium and surrounding area for $430 million in 2004 and yesterday he sells it for $2.15 billion dollars to a group that includes Magic Johnson and Stan Kasten. Mark Walter, Guggenheim Capital (the main source behind the $$$$) chief executive, will be the controlling owner. Kasten will run the team, while magic will also be involved in some of the day-to-day activities and will be looking to woo free agents.
The Johnson group, largely funded by Guggenheim Capital chief executive officer Mark Walter, agreed to purchase the Dodgers, Dodger Stadium and a 50 percent stake in the parking lots surrounding the ballpark from McCourt for $2.15 billion.
After Frank pays off his ex-wife $131 million and some $579 million in debt, he will taken in over $1.5 billion dollars. On top of that he gets to buy the half the parking area of Dodger Stadium and surrounding area for $150 million dollars.
So today would mark the unofficial start of the MLB season as the Oakland A's take on the Seattle Mariners in Japan. The game features two of the closest franchises to Japan as well as the return of their native son Ichiro. Like Frag's post suggested, this could very well be Ichiro's last season. In the last year of his contract with Seattle, there is no better way for him to open his season.
Now many will raise the question as to why the season starts in Japan. I can see several reasons. One is that the game is already pretty popular in Japan. Japanese fans love the games in Japan and nearly 45,000 fans were on hand for both games of last season's Red Sox-A's series. The return of Ichiro should only boost number as well as TV ratings to the chagrin of the Nippon league and Japanese prime time shows.
The second is the history of Japanese players migrating to the United States. My best recollection of the start of this trend came in the form of Hideo Nomo. Ichiro is without question the MLB's greatest Japanese import, but notable players like Hideki Irabu, Hideki Matsui, and the most recent addition of Yu Darvish. For the MLB having such a big stage in Japan could only spur more players to make the jump. Some may say series in countries like the Dominican could be helpful too, but I've never heard talks of any. Besides, Japan simply has more cash flow.
While this series seems to make sense and the MLB has not announced any plans to expand to Japan, it seems to stand in stark contrast to the NFL's adventures in London. This season will see the Rams square off with the Patriots in the game at Wembley. It was announced that the Rams would become the "home" team in London just this winter, as owner Stan Kroenke is also majority shareholder of the soccer club Arsenal. The Rams will be playing in London for the next three years and the league has been debating adding a second game in England.
Talk has also been made of adding an expansion team to London. This talk seems to fly in the face of mediocre ticket sales and the all too familiar and recent collapse of NFL Europe. ESPN America has been broadcasting around 100 NFL games plus playoff and Super Bowl coverage to nearly 41 European territories as of 2009, and the number may continue to rise.
Still, the idea just doesn't sit well with me. I don't see the draw in adding a team in London. It would be a scheduling nightmare. Hawaii's college football team has a hard enough time getting opponents to fly in and they don't have to cross international waters. Any team flying to London or that team having to come to the states (especially the west coast) would be at a distinct disadvantage. I also don't see a huge demand for the NFL in London. They get decent crowds, but I don't see the kind of passion they have for their soccer or rugby teams. I have realized that geography means nothing in sports, especially when UofM still declares themselves the champions of the west, but there's nothing national about London. I think an exhibition game in London would be fine, but regular season games have been a mistake and adding to that schedule only compounds the stress put on teams.
Back to good news for baseball, Frank McCourt has sold the Dodgers to a group lead by Magic Johnson and former Braves and Nationals president Stan Kasten for around $2 billion. Oddly enough, St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke was also in the hunt along with some folks who have a share in the new Mets ownership team. From what I have heard, however, Magic and his team are the best fit. Now, a few of you may cry foul due to Magic's investment in the LA area, but that should only inspire him to improve the team. Some may not be sold on Magic as a businessman, but I have some proof he'll be good for the Dodgers and the MLB.
In tiny Dayton, Ohio is a class A Midwest league team by the name of the Daytona Dragons. The team is in the Cincinnati Reds farm system and has nurtured talent like Adam Dunn (sorry Chi-Sox fans), Joey Votto, and Hay Bruce. They've also sold out 815 consecutive games. They do it with great promotions, an attachment to the city, outstanding customer service and a pretty decent product on the field. They've got plenty of loyal fans and season ticket holders. Their story has been featured around the globe and on our favorite four letter network's Outside The Lines (probably one of the best shows on that channel). If Magic and the gang kind bring that type of service to the Dodgers, they'll do just fine and restore a bit of faith to a proud franchise.
Well, that's it for me this week. I have no challenge this week, but have to agree Harvey's Like Mike videos and Frag's zumba pic may be slightly more 90's than a Chris Mullin Starter ad. Still, you all know you had a Starter jacket back then. I had a pretty amazing Tigers jacket, but we gave it away once I out grew it. My bro's kid would look pretty boss in it had we kept it and he gotten really big, really fast.
Back:
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Hope you all have a great weekend and are ready for some baseball. I'm going to enjoy watching IHM and my Tigers taking on Sully's Red Sox. What a way to start the year. Anyone else thinking about a Jon Lester-Justin Verlander pitcher's duel? Well, I leave you guys with your word of the week.
baseball card burden, noun
The state of an adult possessing many thousands of once valuable, now worthless baseball cards. The burden carrier is cursed with holding a sliver of false hope that the cards will one day become worth something. So, the burden carrier must keep them in "mint" condition(not in the attic or basement where space is abundant) No, the burden-afflicted takes-up large amounts of climate-controlled prime closet space with this mass of what amounts to thousands of glossy toilet paper squares. The burden also weighs heavy in domestic squabbles. If your wife asks you why those cards are taking-up half of the closet, you can say nothing. There is no defense. They are the quivalent of a Precious Moments Burden for women.
"I really would like to buy that new coat. But if I do, I will have to get rid of my vacuum cleaner to make space in the closet"
