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03 June 2010
Although I grew up loving the game, I've fallen out of love with baseball in recent years. I still watch some games, still follow the storylines, still can hold my own in a baseball discussion, but my heart just isn't in it like it used to be. Perhaps I've been jaded by the steroid era, or turned off by the seemingless endless stream of new statistics and metrics that, to me, take away from the pure essence of the game. Let's face it, when we have stats that measure a pitcher's effectiveness on plays that do not involve fielders (known as DIPS), we may be making the game a little too complicated.
So it may seem odd that the perfect game that wasn't, and the ensuing discussion, struck a cord with me. I didn't see the game live, and I'm not necessarily a fan of either team. Thats not say I have anything against Armando Galarraga. In fact, to be honest, I had never heard of the guy until about 9:30 last night. So while I didn't exactly lose sleep last night over the abysmal call at first base that cost Galarraga the perfect game, it's not as if I was rooting against him.
But with all that being said, I'm glad the MLB Commissioner Bud Selig decided not to overturn that call and award Galarraga a perfect game. The official record will show that there were zero perfect games thrown on June 2, 2010. And that's exactly how it should be.
This isn't so much an instant replay issue. We can all agree that the call was missed, and perhaps, with the use of instant replay, the crew would have been able to reverse the call on the spot to get it correct. I'm all for anything that helps the umpires or officials to get the call right, and with all of the technology available in sports, there's really no excuse for not taking advantage of every resource to make sure the games are called as fair as possible. While "official reviews" and challenge flags and all of that can be irritating at times, I can't really say the extra minute or two has ever drastically affected my viewing experience. And let's face it - baseball games typically don't hum along at a rapid pace anyway. So if they can enact instant replay in more situations in baseball to add a degree of accuracy to the game, then go for it.
No- this is an issue of integrity. Yes that's right...integrity in baseball. The same sport has spent the better part of the last few seasons under a cloud of steroid allegations, subpoenas and investigations. Yet believe it or not, there's still a sanctity and dignity to the sport. And changing a call the next day in order to preserve an individual accomplishment or to highlight a specific player would just be, for lack of a better word, wrong.
I understand that perfect games are rare. In fact, rare doesn't even do it justice. In 135 years of Major League Baseball, there have been only 20 perfect games thrown...and that's including two in the first two months of this season. That's an average of one perfect game every 6.75 seasons, or once approximately every 1093 games. Additionally, no player has ever thrown two perfect games, and only six pitchers with a perfect game have ever also thrown a no-hitter. So the chances of Galarraga ever getting the chance to throw a perfect game again are, to say the least, very slim.
But is it more rare then some other sports feats? What about a running back rushing for 2,000 yards in a single season? There have been only six backs in history who can claim that distinction, dating back to the formation of the NFL in 1920. Even if we only count records since the NFL/AFL merger in 1966, that's still only six backs in 44 years, or one back every 7.3 seasons. If Tennessee's Chris Johnson ended last season with 1,999 yards, would it be okay to review a spot the next day in order to get him that extra yard? Or let's say an NBA player finishes a game with 98 points, just two short of becoming only the second player ever to score 100 in a single game. Should it be okay for the commissioner announce the next day that, since an official missed a goaltending call, that the player should be awarded two points?
I understand these are extreme examples. But the principle is the same. No matter how egregious the call, or how rare the feat that was denied, you simply can't change things the next day just to secure an individual record or accomplishment. Doing so would open the door for all kinds of loopholes, exceptions and unique cases that could soon mean we would have to wait 24 hours after the outcome of a game to learn if, in fact, that outcome stands, or if any records may have been broken.
Besides, what kind of message does that send about the game? The Tigers won the game last night. That should be the most important thing. It shouldn't be about a player's individual performance. Whether Galarraga threw a perfect game or a one-hitter, whether you believe he got 27 outs or 28 outs, the biggest thing is that his team won. Reversing calls the next day, especially when that call didn't affect the outcome on the scoreboard, sends the message that the player is more important than the game itself.
It also helps that Galarraga has handled the entire ordeal with a great deal of class, never complaining or disparaging umpire Jim Joyce. Joyce also has done his part, owning up to his mistake and apologizing to Galarraga and the Tigers personally. That kind of accountability is all too rare in sports (maybe more rare than a perfect game), so it shouldn't go unnoticed. It doesn't change the fact that he did cost Galarraga a likely once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but he has handled the aftermath as well as could be expected to help make up for it.
It's certainly unfortunate that Galarraga missed a chance at history. And here's hoping he gets another shot someday. But make no mistake - this was the right decision. For once, Selig made the right call.
Perhaps there's hope for baseball after all.
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02 June 2010
Well, the USA Mens National team headed to the World Cup has finally been named. There were no huge surprises, just a couple small ones. It's a team with a range of styles and backgrounds, and it occurs to me that not everyone is a soccer fanboy like me. So, here's everything you need to know about all 23 guys headed to South Africa. And remember, they have a friendly against Austrailia this Saturday (6/5) and then the first World Cup game vs England is Saturday (6/12). Schedule your lives accordingly.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you your US Mens National Team 2010. (Ordered by their jersey numbers, click on each name for a picture of the player in question)
1- Tim Howard (Goal Keeper) - The undisputed best player on the team. Is it odd to have your best player be the goalie? Not for the US. Howard has been playing for Everton in the EPL for years now and is consistently considered one of the better keepers in England. He's big and athletic, could have played college basketball and has a commanding presence. Oh, and he has a mild form of Tourette syndrome which makes him even more bad ass. There's every reason to believe Timmy will have a massive World Cup, but if he doesn't the US team might have some long American faces at the end of the tournament.
2 - Jonathan Spector (Defender) - One of the other Americans playing in England, Spector plays for West Ham United in London. They're a Premier League club, but they seem to be barely avoiding relegation almost every year. He originally signed with Manchester United, but didn't quite develop into a Man U caliber player. Got a lot of starts this season against top-quality opponents, but it felt like a lot of those were by default. He's still young (24) so he could develop, but this round at the World Cup might just be a little over his head. Also, I've chosen him as "most likely to play Dungeons & Dragons."
(Click Read More. Go ahead. Do it.)
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28 May 2010
You wouldn't think it, but we get hundreds (if not thousands) of emails a week from StadiumDrives.com readers. Some of them tell us how great we are, others how bad we are. Often, we'll get tips of stories. Sometimes, sites will even let us know that they stole our work, it was a hit on their site and thank us. Others just write in for advice or have questions about their life. I decided to give the old inbox a cleaning again and pick out some of the best (and worst) emails.* If you can't decipher our e-mail address from the sidebar and would like to send something in, send it via Twitter to @JoshCohron.
It's the weekend. I (and probably every other girl in Lexington) would appreciate if you didn't text me, like usual, at some ungodly hour. I'll let you know now, I'm not coming over. - (name withheld)
That was helpful. Will it change anything tonight at midnight? Of course not.
After a stellar week of NBA basketball, what do you think would be the most competitive: an NBA Finals with the Celtics and the Lakers, an NBA Finals with the Celtics and the Suns, or a Rubik’s Cube contest between Dwight Howard and a goat? - @TylerKY
Great question! I will rank these.
- Rubik's Cube contest between Dwight Howard and a goat: I'm going to side with the goat on this one in a close match. I'm pretty sure Dwight Howard would find a way to foul out of this.
- Lakers vs. Celtics in the NBA Finals: A rematch from two years ago is what I'm expecting, and what ABC and NBA executives are praying for. This is probably the last run the Celtics have in their old legs, so they would be playing with a certain sense of urgency (assuming they don't massively choke against the Magic this weekend). I could definitely see this series going seven games.
- Suns vs. Celtics in the NBA Finals: I'm not sure Phoenix would have it in them to compete at a high level after a seven game series with the Lakers. Plus, I don't see them winning the last two games of this series.
Can someone set the Howad/goat contest up? This could be for charity or something. I would pay good money to see that goat get fouled by Dwight Howard.
Do you think Entourage has run its course as a TV show or that it has a couple good seasons left? - @samx1605
Great question, little brother. I could write a lot about the ups and downs of the show and really break it down, but I won't.
Sloan (Emmanuelle Chriqui) is back. The show has as many seasons left as she does. She'll also be our Hot Female of the Week! Great job, baby! Great job!
Being a father of daughters, I am cheering for Danica on Sunday at the Indianapolis 500. Do you feel that she is legitimate or are you just watching in hopes that her outfit will deteriorate during the race leaving her naked when she climbs out of the car? - Scott, Georgetown, KY
First of all, I won't be cheering for anyone. Watching people drive around in a circle for hours on end sounds like an awful way to spend a day, let alone a holiday weekend.
If I were to cheer for someone, it certainly wouldn't be Danica Patrick. What a loser she is. She's won one race in 5+ years of racing. Hell, I think I could do better if given the opportunity. I would make a joke about women being bad drivers, but I think Danica is making all them for me.
And as for seeing Danica naked? I'll pass, gladly. She is not attractive. Those GoDaddy commercials always crack me up. They show her in some skimpy outfit and then give some line like, "Go to our website for the UNRATED footage!" Who in their right mind would want to see that? If you saw Danica Patrick walking down the street and didn't know she was famous, she might be a 6. Now, because she's famous, I'm supposed to think that she is some sex symbol? That's disgusting.
There are a lot of women in sports that are attractive, Danica Patrick isn't one of them.
Is it better to recruit a good nucleus that is around 3/4 years with a few blue chips or have to get 4 new blue chips every year? - @bandave
Great question! I assume this was in response to Kentucky signing Terrence Jones last week.
I think a perfect recruiting class would have a couple premier players and a couple players that will be in the program for 3-4 years. A lot of Kentucky fans are freaking out about the loss of four freshmen after the past season. I think that class will be more of the exception than the norm. The cupboard was bare, Calipari brought in freshmen and the freshmen had to play, and play a lot. Kentucky was very successful, so the freshmen were noticed and moved up draft boards.
Think back to when you were a freshman in college; if someone had offered you $10 million to leave school, wouldn't you have done it? Of course.
Kentucky's 2010 class is more balanced than 2009. There are some probable one-and-dones: Brandon Knight, Enes Kanter and (more than likely) Terrence Jones. But, there will be guys that will be around the program for a while as well: Doron Lamb, Stacey Poole and Eloy Vargas.
Over/under 2.5 seasons until Strasburg ends up like Mark Prior, young 'n' busted? (Or was it Kerry Wood? I can never remember.) - @scott_ish
Anyone that makes fun of the Cubs will always get in the mailbag. Who am I kidding? Anyone that sends a question is getting in, but making fun of the Cubs is fun... and easy.
Oh, I'm taking the WAAAAAY under. Can anyone remember the last young pitching phenom that didn't have some sort of flameout? Prior and Wood are two great examples. Francisco Liriano missed two seasons with an injury. Tim Lincecum loves marijuana and it's showing this year. I'm sure Ubaldo Jimenez's arm will fall off before the All-Star break.
If baseball weren't so boring, I would break down more pitchers, but I'm getting tired just talking about it.
By the way, I wasn't prepared to agree with @scott_ish on anything... ever. I mean, the guy likes Dave Matthews!
That's it for this week's version of the mailbag. Enjoy your holiday weekend with your favorite beverage, your favorite pool and your favorite people that supply the first two things. Thanks for reading, thanks for submitting.
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21 May 2010
Hello there my fairweather friends! I'm safely back home from my annual Maycation, and perhaps even more impressive, spent two nights in downtown Detroit without witnessing a single stabbing, robbery, or exploding salt shaker.
I attended this year's Tigers/Yankees series, as I did last year, with a long-time friend, fellow baseball guy and (cough) Yankee fan... let's call him Fuzzy. As always, the real kickoff to the trip happens when you pass Big Butter Jesus, just south of Dayton, OH. We pitched around different slogans, or mottos if you will, for this dairy encased savior and I must say, the cake goes to Fuzz, with "I can't believe it's not Jesus!" 
Despite an hour long delay south of Toledo, we finally reached the Michigan state line 2 hours before first pitch of the ESPN Wednesday night game. Incidentally, Michigan, changing your welcome sign from "Welcome to Michigan" to "PURE MICHIGAN" doesn't really do anything other than highlight the fact that you're spending tax dollars on image, rather than job creation. Good work. At least your most prominent mayor wasn't recently indicted... oh what's that? Woops.
During this part of the trip, we were able to catch Game 1 of the Day/Night doubleheader (dubbed 'the Nooner' by Fuzz). NOTE: Do not, under any circumstances, set yourself up in a car, listening to a Yankees game, with a Yankees fan, while they are losing.
Once in Detroit, we check into our way-too-nice-for-these-assholes-but-purchased-on-Expedia-for-dirt-cheap hotel, The Greektown Hotel and Casino, broke into the moderately priced mini-bar, and started the 3 block walk to Cheli's Rooftop, which provides a pretty amazing view of the ballpark, Ford Field, and the downtown Detroit skyline. Having traveled in the post-May-1 era, there is no longer smoking allowed at a bar... outside. Thanks for that, assholes.
Pure Michigan. Someone tell that to the drunk homeless man in a wheelchair that was just tossed out into the street by a huge-boobed Cheli's waitress, all of 5'4", 110 lbs. Now that, my friends, is Pure Entertainment anywhere you go.
After Cheli's we make it down the 45 flights of stairs to the ballpark, scavange up some $9 ballpark burritos (Note: Do Not Attempt) and find our 7th row seats. Luckily we made it in time for what would turn out to be one of the highlights of the trip.
As with any red-blooded and beer-enjoying American ballpark going fan, with field level seats, the priorities are simple.
1. Get on TV
2. Catch a foul ball
3. Get an opposing players attention and disparage his baseball abilities
We were able to accomplish #1 in the midst of enjoying one of the more awesome sights I've ever seen at a ballgame, in a near #2. In the bottom of the first, with Tiger rookie Brennon Boesch up to bat, here was my opportunity.
A screaming line drive down the 1B line one-hops up into the seats, coming right for me. I rise to my feet and reach out my hand for the ball. It caroms off a lady in the second row's head, just past my outreached fingers... and square into the nose of the gentleman seated in front of me. Blood. Pouring. Everywhere.
It was awesome.
Nice hands, brah.
As a fellow concerned Tiger fan, I did what any of us would do. Flailed my hands and arms to make sure I was broadcast nationally... then gave the dude my extra burrito napkins. Maybe you'll want to consider sitting upstairs next time.
The game itself was a pretty solid pitchers duel until the 9th, when the Yanks poured on the runs against a rookie day-of call-up and made the score look ugly. Fuzzy and I were long gone by that point... had to get back to Greektown.
As a recommendation for future Detroit travels, check out these places:
Well Bar on Randolph Street. Cheapest post-game beer, $2.
The Old Shillelagh on Monroe. Good music, perfect dive-iness, and, apparently, the best spot to witness public drug use.
Coach's Corner. Nicest bartenders and a delicious fried anything sandwich.
Do not visit: Drunk Puffy Jacket Guy. He will interrupt you constantly while you are trying to make friends with the birthday girl. Right, Fuzzy? Best part of that story? Fuzzy calling him Puffy Jacket Guy during the below conversation.
Maycation Day 2 recap at some point in the future.
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20 May 2010
You wouldn't think it, but we get hundreds (if not thousands) of emails a week from StadiumDrives.com readers. Some of them tell us how great we are, others how bad we are. Often, we'll get tips of stories. Sometimes, sites will even let us know that they stole our work, it was a hit on their site and thank us. Others just write in for advice or have questions about their life. I decided to give the old inbox a cleaning again and pick out some of the best (and worst) emails.* If you can't decipher our e-mail address from the sidebar and would like to send something in, send it via Twitter to @JoshCohron.
Hey, go (expletive) yourself. - (Name withheld)
I really appreciate this. A girl took the time to write in, but also kept it short and sweet so as not to take up too much space in this week's version of "Girl Who Writes To Mock Me In The Mailbag." It's amazing how many women I've scorned in such a short life.
Ha! Have you seen these Reds fans walking around lately? They act as if they won the pennant and it's not even June. What a bunch of clowns. You know a little something about teams being in first place for a long time and not making the playoffs, don't you, Met fan? - RG, Lexington, KY
First off, I gave up baseball so I'm not a fan of the Mets anymore. Baseball games are boring.
But, I can appreciate the humor of watching Reds fans act as if this is 1990. Twitter and Facebook about had to shut down over the weekend when the Reds took over first place from all the, "1st place, baby!" and "This is the Reds year!!!" posts. I had to take some Pepto it was so nauseating.
I will give every cent I make writing for this blog to Gage if the Reds win the Central Division.
Terrence Jones just signed with Kentucky last night. Will he be a Lamar Odom type player for the Cats or Alex Legion Version 2.0? - Ian (actual submission!)
In case you didn't see, Scout's #2 PF, Terrence Jones committed to play for the Wildcats last night. He had previously committed to Washington, less than a month ago. This is what gets some people all riled up. I don't think it's a big deal. Jones announced at a press conference at his school (where four other players announced their college choices) that he was going to Washington. Jones admitted he had no idea where he was going when he got on the stage. He had a change of heart, and chose to come to the greatest program in the history of college basketball. Who can blame him (besides you, Washington Husky fan)?
Arguably, before signing Jones, Kentucky had the #1 recruiting class in the country. 5-star players Brandon Knight and Enes Kanter, 4-star players Doron Lamb and Stacey Poole and JUCO stud Eloy Vargas were already in the fold. Jones takes this class to another level. Kentucky has, far and away, the best recruiting class in the country (again).
As for a Jones comparison, I will give him the nod towards Lamar Odom. They are both skilled big men who can shoot it pretty well and put it on the floor. Plus, they're both left-handed. Here's hoping Terrence Jones isn't addicted to Skittles like Lamar is. Here's also hoping Jones gets a Kardashian and brings her to games like Lamar does.
Unless I really hated a kid, I would never compare a player to Alex Legion. No one's mom is that crazy. I hope.
Click Read More, it's for the kids.
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12 May 2010
A
re you in shock? I am.
Three days ago I was stewing on some post ideas thinking about what I had to say about the Reds. I was going to say how nice it was to see them hovering around .500 and how it would be a welcome change to have a team in the race at the All-Star break. I wanted to tell you how their run differential indicated a much worse team. I wanted to tell you how they had managed to win the type close of games that would inevitably get away from them as the season dragged on.
And then, the baseball gods mercifully sent the team a round trip ticket to Pittsburgh and blessed the arms of Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto and the enigma that is Homer Bailey. Combined pitching numbers over the three days: 25 IP, 1R, 10 H, including complete game shut outs from Cueto and Bailey. How either pitcher - both of whom have struggled to get into the 6th inning - was able to go the full nine boggles the mind. Not to mention Cueto's outing being a one-hitter. Unbelievable.
Well, maybe "boggles the mind" is a bit too strong. They were playing the Pirates, after all. The one MLB franchise that Reds fans could point at and laugh for the past two decades really came through for us this series. Thanks Pittsburgh! Between this, Ben "the Big Indictment" and the Penguins collapse tonight it's truly becoming Golden Age for Pittsburgh haters.
Meanwhile, the Reds in three days improved their run differential from -21 to -6 (yes, still minus) and are a single game behind St. Louis with the Dirty Cards coming to town this weekend and a chance to make some noise. Hope springs eternal!
(Note to potential commenters: Yes, I know it's only May. Just give me this, alright?)
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12 May 2010
You wouldn't think it, but we get hundreds (if not thousands) of emails a week from StadiumDrives.com readers. Some of them tell us how great we are, others how bad we are. Often, we'll get tips of stories. Sometimes, sites will even let us know that they stole our work, it was a hit on their site and thank us. Others just write in for advice or have questions about their life. I decided to give the old inbox a cleaning again and pick out some of the best (and worst) emails.* If you can't decipher our e-mail address from the sidebar and would like to send something in, send it via Twitter to @JoshCohron.
Go (expletive) yourself. PS - Don't put this on your stupid website that no one reads. - (Name withheld)
Ouch. That hurt on more than one level. At least the tradition of a female writing in to the Inbox and telling her disdain for me continues! Always find the positives, kids.
How does LeBron go from "the greatest of all time" to "a loser" in a 24 hour period? Will he take Todd Pletcher's place on "The List?" I'll hang up and listen. - Leroy, Gravel Switch, KY (Somewhat of an actual reader submission!)
Here's the thing, I still think LeBron is the best player in the league. Sure, he played like crap last night. But, he's also playing for one of the worst coaches in the NBA. Mike Brown looks outmatched this series... BY DOC RIVERS. That would be like getting outmatched against your slow, 8 year-old cousin in a game of checkers. Mike Brown is an abomination, so nothing that happens to LeBron while Brown is coaching him will be held against LBJ.
Also, no matter what the media tells you, there is still at least one more game in this series. Shocking, right?
LeBron won't be joining "The List" (The List is for the greatest losers in sports. Current members: Donovan McNabb, Dirk Nowitzki, John Calipari, Rick Carlisle, Marv Levy and many more!) this year. He'll have one year without Mike Brown before doing so. And, Todd Pletcher was literally 48 hours from joining "The List" when Super Saver... saved him. Get it?
Did you see the story about the 22 year-old pretending to be a 16 year-old and playing high school basketball? He graduated high school, failed out of a junior college, then moved to Texas and said he was 15! - Ryan, Topeka KS
I really respect what this kid did. If you haven't read the story, you need to do so. LINK.
I think everyone has at least thought about doing this at some point, right? I've gone to plenty of high school basketball games since I graduated thinking I could definitely be one of the better players on the floor. I would never actually do it, but it's fun to dream about. I thought about going out to New Mexico or somewhere random one summer and trying this. I think it would make a fascinating book.
Hell, Cameron Crowe went to high school and pretended to be younger to help him write Fast Times at Ridgemont High. No one arrested him!
The problem with Guerdwich Montimere was that he was out on the AAU circuit playing. Rookie mistake! He should have known that AAU teams come from all over to play in these events. Wasn't there a chance that someone from Florida would see him? Of course there was.
Sorry, I just questioned the logic of a 22 year-old who was attending high school for the second time. I really do wonder if he had relations with any of the ladies (or guys). That's where things could get very interesting.
I think a good rule to follow is: If you graduated high school, don't try and go back. If you have been at high school for four years and still haven't graduated, transfer to high school in Haiti.
By the way,what the hell happened to Cameron Crowe? Fast Times is a classic. Elizabethtown, on the other hand, is one of the worst movies of all time. Click Read More or I'll dissect Kirsten Dunst's performance in that "film."
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06 May 2010
OK - it's been a bad week. Nearly everything that has happened this week has pissed me off, and as a result, I'm in a foul mood. When I'm in a foul mood, I tend to dwell on the reasons why I'm in a foul mood, which only serves to make me angrier. It's a vicious cycle that, one day, very well could result in me in a clock tower, picking off people one by one with a sniper rifle. So I'm going to get a few things off my chest here - try to let go of some my anger and frustration. I doubt it works, but it's worth a shot to save some lives.
To start with, we can all agree that Erin Andrews is pretty easy on the eyes. And, unlike some other female sports reporters, she actually appears to understand and enjoy sports. So when the whole peephole/stalking incident happened, I actually felt sympathy for her. I reasoned that maybe, just maybe, she was actually just a serious journalist who happened to be really attractive, and that she shouldn't be subject to the whims of a pervert just because her job places her in the public eye. Of course, now I see how faulty that line of thinking was, seeing as how she joined the cast of Dancing With The Stars, and began parading around on national TV every week wearing next to nothing. Call me cynical, but I'm not sure that's the best course of action for someone who wants to be respected for her professionalism. Now, with the whole Elizabeth Hasselbeck incident, in which Hasselbeck made a similar point and then apologized after Andrews started whining, I've had it. If you want to be a professional, then put on some clothes and stop doing crap TV shows that allow you to wear clothing a Playboy model would be too shy to wear. Otherwise, don't get mad when people judge you by your appearance. Either way, some critical comments from someone on The View (easily one of the worst shows ever made) hardly entitles you to cry about being persecuted. Get over yourself.
Next, college basketball. Even as a UK alum, I have been against John Calipari from Day One. I don't like the image his programs have, and my gut feeling is that UK will regret hiring him. These opinions have not made me popular amongst my friends, but they are just that - my opinions. I will admit he did a great job of reviving the energy around the program this year, and following the BIlly Gillispie debacle, the fans desperately wanted someone who connected with them, which Cal did in a multitude of ways. And the on-court results were successful as well, although falling short of the Final Four with a loaded roster in a down year was disappointing. But it's the events of the last couple of weeks that have gotten me riled up again. First, we learn that Cal may have continued to recruit a kid just minutes after he announced his decision to go to another school. There are literally hundreds of conflicting reports on what actually happened here, and it may well turn out that all Cal did was answer a phone call and wish a kid well. But his reputation means he isn't likely to get the benefit of the doubt with public perception and if Terrence Jones does wind up at UK, expect to hear a lot of venom from opposing fans. As this situation was unfolding, the Herald-Leader reported that the team GPA this year was...well...not great. Now look - I don't expect DeMarcus Cousins to pull marathon study sessions in the library to maintain a 4.0, especially when he knows he's headed to the NBA after one year. But we're talking about some of the easiest classes at UK, not Harvard Law School. With all of the resources available to the players, the low GPAs are just a flat-out embarrassment...especially when you consider that the national champion this year boasted a team GPA nearly a full point higher than Kentucky, proving that the idea of a student-athlete isn't dead everywhere. So how does Cal respond to all of this negative news? By allegedly expressing an interest in the Chicago Bulls job in an effort to renegotiate his contract. Apparently the seven years left on his current one didn't offer enough job security. Yes, I know Calipari has since said he's happy at Kentucky. In fact, in a direct quote, he said
"When we win, and everybody loves to win, players go to the pros, and there are people that will come at me. That's just how it is. I'm happy with the program. This is where I want to be, and this is where I want to coach. I love Memphis"
Oops - my bad. That is a direct quote taken on March 27, 2009...just four days before he bolted Memphis for Kentucky. So forgive me if I'm not hanging on every word uttered by Cal as the gospel. And when you add all of this up, the UK program has been in the news for some less than glowing reasons lately. There's a growing disdain across the country for how the program is being run, and despite what some fans will claim, it's not rooted in jealousy or fear. Only time will tell what eventually happens with the Cal/UK marriage, but my initial doubts about Calipari are still very much alive. And yes, I am prepared for some angry arguments from my friends who read this.
Hmm...where to next? How about the idiots who were outraged by the Taser incident in Philadelphia earlier this week? Listen, if you don't want to get Tasered, stay off the field. Plain and simple. If you run onto the field, I have no problems with any amount of force being used to subdue you. In fact, if the chase goes on longer than 15 seconds, I wouldn't have a problem with security shooting at them. Some might call this a bit harsh. Well, tough. Don't run on the field, and it won't be an issue. Got it? Good.
Let's see - what else? Ah yes - JaMarcus Russell. Way to take full advantage of your physical gifts and a great opportunity. Moron. You were given millions of dollars to do something you love, and you couldn't even put a little effort into it. You didn't learn the playbook, didn't get in shape, didn't make an effort to lead your teammates. Congratulations on being told "Get out" by one of the worst teams in the league. You should be real proud of yourself.
And to the Bengals, who just signed Pac-Man Jones. What in the hell are you thinking? You couldn't just be happy having a good off-season, with a couple solid free-agent signings and a good draft, could you? You had to do something stupid, something Bengal-esque. Listen, I don't care if he's reformed, and is now the greatest guy on Earth (highly unlikely). How does he help you on the field? He was hardly a shut-down corner, and I'm guessing his kick-return abilities are a bit rusty at this point.So why do this? All I know is that when he starts making it rain at bars in Northern Kentucky, I don't weant to be a part of it.
Lastly, Big Ben. You are a piece of trash. For goodness sake, you're a starting quarterback in the NFL. You have tens of millions of dollars, and two Super Bowl rings. Why on earth are you getting 20-year-olds in Milledgeville drunk? It's one thing for someone like me to have to resort to desperate measures to get laid. But you're a professional athlete!! How bad is your game? Tony Romo dated Jessica Simpson and Carrie Underwood. Tom Brady rolled with Gisele Bundchen and Bridget Moynahan. Even Jeff Garcia married a Playmate. And you have to settle for a Kappa Kappa Gamma in the bathroom stall of a college bar? Give me a break. You're pitiful.
That's all I have for now, although I'm sure I'll still be angry about plenty of things tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that, etc. etc. If you don't like it, or have problems with any of this, go to hell.
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03 May 2010
Every sports fan has sat down in front of their TV ready to watch a big event and been disappointed. Be it basketball, baseball, football, or racing, at some point you've been into a game and then something happened (repeatedly in some cases) and you were just disgusted by the product you were witnessing. It's times like these that you scream in frustration, "I wish they'd just make a rule against blah blah blah!" Yeah, I fucking hate blahs too.
So why are all the major sports ran the way they have been for 50 or more years? I say to Hell with all that. Let's add some new rules.
Sport: Basketball. New rule: no flopping. Penalty: Technical foul.
We'll start with basketball. It is without a doubt one of the most interesting sports to watch. The action is generally up-and-down, teams can come back from major deficits, and the play is generally full of energy. What slows down games, changes the entire dynamic of the game, and disgusts me most about basketball is flopping.
Look, I'm a bit of a San Antonio Spurs fan. Have been since the Admiral was in charge down there (he and Duncan are the only reasons I'm a fan). Even I am sickened about 50% of the time watching Manu play though. Every other time he drives the lane he throws his arms in the air or his body on the ground and looks at the ref like he just got raped in Shawshank. It's ridiculous and it should be illegal. In fact, it should be assessed a technical foul in every level of basketball. No matter college, NBA, or junior pro, flopping should be a technical foul. None of this "A" and "B" shit either. You flop twice in the same game and you take your ass to the showers. Vlade Divac would have played about 7 minutes in his career if this were a rule. Also, see "soccer" and "yellow card assessed."
Read on for some more rule changes.
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02 May 2010
The NBA Playoffs are in full swing, and that usually means one thing...time for the playoff banter column between noted basketball experts, or just between myself and Smooth. However, for unknown reasons, that hasn't materialized this year. So we're left with just my thoughts on the playoffs. If you would like to see the banter resume, you can send an e-mail to Smooth so he can stop making up fake ones when he cleans out his inbox. Or, if you really want to get his attention, you could put your hand in his girlfriend (if you get it, you get it). Either way, like the early brave pioneers of sports blogging, I'm going to forge ahead on my own for now.
Who is Derek Fisher? OK, I get it. The guy has hit some big shots in the playoffs throughout his career. He has played on four championship teams, and has a pretty good shot at a fifth ring this year. But let's not also forget this is a guy who was largely irrelevant for the three seasons he spent away from the Lakers, two with Golden State and one with Utah. In fact, in his first year in Golden State, he was the backup to Speedy Claxton. Yes, Speedy Claxton. So what does that tell us about who Fisher really is? Turns out, it's a little easier to hit clutch shots in the playoffs when you have superstars on your team who, you know, get you to the playoffs. But upon returning to the Lakers, he's once again the darling of the media, who love to rave about his toughness and poise. Well where was that when he was sitting the bench for the Warriors? Hmm.. could it be that Fisher isn't quite the pressure-loving, big shot-hitting player he's been made out to be? After all, he spent the better part of the first round being abused by Russell Westbrook, and in Game 1 against Utah, he lasted all of one possession on Deron Williams before Coach Phil Jackson switched the match-up. At this point, it's questionable whether Fisher could guard a stationary bike, and he has very little offensive game other than hovering by the three-point line. But as usual, he'll hit a shot at some point (wide-open, thanks to Kobe and Pau Gasol's presence), and people will go nuts over his clutch play, as though he's something more than a coattail-riding, mediocre guard who has had the good fortune to play with a number of stars. But on the bright side, maybe one day, Fisher and Robert Horry can sit around and discuss who did the least to earn their rings.
Bad call. Here's a special shoutout to Dwight Howard, who set an NBA record with 22 fouls in four games against Charlotte, although all of them were bad calls. Every last one. He actually didn't commit a single foul the entire series. Hey refs - since when is an elbow to the face or a hip check considered a foul?? Let the guy play!!
