4 p.m.
• Well, the Mexicans are taking over this country anyway, what's the big deal if one becomes president?
My most fond memories of Richardson were back when he was Clinton's Energy Secretary and looked like a clueless fool during the Los Alamos scandal where nuclear secrets went missing. However, he seems to have been doing a good job as governor of New Mexico, or at least as good a job as one can do with a poor state. Oh, wait. He's a Democrat, so I can't say anything nice. That's right. Booooo. Hissssss. Bad Richardson.
9 a.m.
• Shortly after seeing that "To Catch A Predator" show last night, I caught a bit of Spike's "Pros v. Joes" show. Neat idea. I haven't seen much of the program, but from what I have watched I was entertained. The one I saw last night was some "season finale" or something and featured one event where a person had to rush John Rocker on the mound and wrestle him off ASAP. Now it may have been just me, but Rocker seemed to be enjoying his bout with the black contestant, especially during the times where he was getting the upper hand.
8 p.m.
• I just watched my first "To Catch A Predator" NBC special. Oh my God. Don't these people realize that if they went after 18-year-old chicks they wouldn't be in this kind of trouble? 15-year-old, 18-year-old. Is there really that much of a better time? And of course half of these are church volunteers or something like that.
6 p.m.
• I said the same thing at the other place, but it bears repeating. The Beast is running for president. Time to get that sniper's rifle. Yeah I know. Brrrr, it's cold and all that other shit.
Can't wait until I hear that bolded line for the 1,000,000,000th fucking time by Medium-Large Media until the Anti-Christ gets elected. Maybe she'll have Bill Lester drive her to the swearing-in ceremoney. You all know Lester, THE FIRST BLACK MAN TO RACE IN THE CUP SERIES SINCE WILLY T. RIBBS DROVE AT MICHIGAN IN 1986!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe if Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy's teams meet in the Super Bowl, they'll be invited, too.
5 p.m.
• Got the Westside Connection's "Bow Down" bumping in my trunk, err, computer room stereo. This is one of those albums that I listen to from time-to-time as a guilty pleasure ever since I bought it 11 years ago, and it still manages to crack me up. My three favorite tracks at the moment with favorite lines in italics:
3) All The Critics In New York
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Yoooooooooooo! N*gga fuck that shit...
2) The Gangsta, The Killa And The Dope Dealer
Gangsta don't dance we boogie/n*ggas run out and get yo' cookies.
1) King Of The Hill
Now what you hip-hop hippies?
12:30 p.m.
• So the better half thought she fooled me regarding this year’s anniversary present. Even though our blessed event isn’t until June, she said that I’ll be getting my gift next week. Uh, OK. She also said that couldn’t figure out what it would be; however, I think I already did. From the information she gave me, assuming it is all correct, it’s coming from a businesses that’s closing. Also, it will require movers. This thing cannot be kept at her mother’s basement because she wouldn’t want it to have that “basement” smell. After some careful reasoning, I concluded that this mystery gift was a couch or similar piece of furniture. The look she gave me when she said, “how did you come to that?” tells me that I’m probably right.
I’m not one of these people that likes stupid, sentimental crap. Give me something practical, and a new couch would be just that. Currently we have two couches in our living room – one is of the three cushion variety and the other is only two. They are both seven years hold, have experienced two moves and a total of four cats (and sixteen sets of claws). These couches are tattered, but that’s to be expected when you own multiple cats. I’ve had people say, “Well get them declawed.” Fuck that. When you have kids and they wind up breaking something, are you going to chop of the tips of their fingers? I think not. It’s bad enough children aren’t transported in little carriers.
8:45 p.m.
• I just heard from the better half that the mother-in-law found a preggers test wrapper in her one trash can. The out-of-control niece-in-law is the only other female that live at that residence. Hmmm.
7:15 p.m.
• So Vern Gagne, when submitting his kkk Bowl IV picks to me this week, asked the following.
Ooooooh, fuck. I didn't notice this. If those two do take their teams to the Super Bowl, I think the media circle-jerk would make Manning Bowl I look like the beltway press coverage that a Republican President gets for a good economy. (Smitty, I can hear you typing your rebuttal right now. Stop it now. It’s too easy a target for you. I expect more from you.) The sad thing is I like both Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith. I have been a Dungy fan ever since he was coaching Tampa Bay, although I did agree with the Bucs bringing in Gruden. Long story short: Dungy took the Bucs from the shit pile of NFL teams and made them contenders. However, Tampa’s ownership wanted to win it all, so they brought in an asshole who wasn’t as soft-spoken. It worked. So fuck all the people who shouted RACISM when this coaching change was made. Regarding Smith, I liked him when he was defensive coordinator at St. Louis, and I remember when Marvin Lewis got the head coaching gig in Cincinnati, I had said at the time that I thought Smith should have been hired instead. Well, it all seemed to work out for Lovie in the end. Good for each of them. However, I’m not ready to deal with all the media crap with either one of them making it to the Super Bowl. (Has there ever been a black head coach in the Super Bowl? I don't think so.) Go whitey.
5:05 p.m.
• So I started playing NCAA Football '05. I figured that if I do that export class thingy I might get back into playing Madden as well. So far my Shittsburgh Panthers kicked the shit out of two nobody teams. Then I lost 15-9 to Nebraska. Fuck. So my season is over. Damn you no-playoff system. I'm going to take my anger out on some team next up who I have never heard of before. Wow, beating crap teams and losing to the schools that are actually good. That's the Panthers for you -- wow, this game is realistic.
5 p.m.
• Time to see how I did last week with those playoff games.
Indianapolis at Baltimore (4.5): Wrong. I should have stuck with the fact the Colts had beaten the Ravens over the last few years.
Philadelphia at New Orleans (5.5): Wrong. Saints won, but not by enough. Oh, and what's up with that chick who wore that "Fuck da Eagles" shirt? Just how long was that shown on TV, and would that have been better for OUR CHILDREN to see than a half-second of Janet Jackson's tit?
Seattle at Chicago (8.5): Wrong. Boy, I'm batting 1.000 here.
New England at San Diego (4.5): Right. Thanks Marty for helping me out. I knew you would come through.
This week's Pickkks.
New Orleans @ Chicago (2.5)
The Saints are a great story and all that shit, but can they beat the Bears? Who's to say they can't? However, I'm playing this one safe. Chicago 17, New Orleans 10.
New England @ Indy (2.5)
I had thought for much of this year that this could be the Colts year to make the Super Bowl. However, with their late-season play I ruled them out. Could I have been wrong? Gee, that's never happened before. Sure the Colts are the Pats' bitch in the playoffs, but this time the game is in a dome. Oh what the hell, I'll go for it. Colts 31, Patriots 27.
1. Was he ever regarded as the best player in football? Did anybody, while he was active, ever suggest that he was the best player in football?
No.
2. Was he the best player on his team?
All-time, no. KC previously had better defensive players. But, Thomas was the face of the Chiefs' franchise during his time there.
3. Was he the best player in football at his position? Was he the best player in the conference at his position?
If by position, we mean OLB? Then, no.
4. Did he have an impact on a number of great seasons?
Before Thomas went to KC, they were a dismal team. Nearly every season Thomas was in KC, they were a playoff team. But, never a serious contender for a championship. All in all, we'll give a slight lean towards yes.
5. Was he good enough that he could play regularly after passing his prime?
Yes. Thomas was still putting up his usual stats until his death at 33.
6. Is he the very best football player in history who is not in the Hall of Fame?
No.
7. Are most players who have comparable statistics in the Hall of Fame?
Since sacks have only been recorded since 1982, it's difficult to compare. However, I'd go with no. Since Richard Dent has comparable sack stats and is not in.
8. Do the player's numbers meet Hall of Fame standards?
Not enough of a sample to properly judge.
9. Is there any evidence to suggest that the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by his statistics?
Lots to suggest Thomas was worse since sacks are a horribly overrated stat. Thomas was a weak run defender with few tackles for his position, and a noted liability in pass coverage. Thomas' position was OLB, so these are significant weaknesses.
10. Is he the best player at his position who is eligible for the Hall of Fame?
Most would say yes.
11. How many MVP-type seasons did he have? Did he ever win an MVP award? If not, how many times was he close?
None. He was never a defensive MVP.
12. How many Pro Bowl-type seasons did he have? How many Pro-Bowl games did he play in? Did most of the players who played in this many Pro-Bowl games go into the Hall of Fame?
9 Pro Bowls. Easily enough for HOF consideration.
13. If this man were the best player on his team, would it be likely that the team could win their conference?
No, and they didn't.
14. What impact did the player have on football history? Was he responsible for any rule changes? Did he change the game in any way?
It could be argued Thomas revolutionized the purely pass rushing OLB/undersized DE.
15. Did the player uphold the standards of sportsmanship and character that the Hall of Fame, in its written guidelines, instructs us to consider?
Yes. He was noted for being a good man in KC. And his untimely death further adds to the positive feelings people have for him.
Would he get my vote?
No. Being one of the best at 1/3 of the responsibilities of your position is not enough. Inducting Derrick Thomas all comes down to your believe of what a Hall of Famer should be. The glamor of bringing down the QB, or choosing players who were the best at their position. If Richard Dent is struggling to get in, I don't see how Thomas has any shot unless he gets the sympathy vote.
7:30 p.m.
• Some hippie writer died.
I'm sure I never read any of his stuff, but what I took note of was that he wrote something to be released after he went up to that big newsroom in the sky.
Here's the column, for those that care.
After reading this I got the thinking: should I did from a road-rage incident (I had another one of these this morning) or a brawl at the grocery store (haven't had one of these for a while), what would my final words be? God forbid it be something on this blog. Actually, my 5:15 p.m. entry would sum things up just fine. The only thing I would add to it, however, is, "Damn, it's hotter than I expected down here."
5:15 p.m.
• This is why I love Jews. Seinfeld has how much money and he is still too cheap to pay some pesky commission? And the best part is that the plantiff is a Jew, too, and she wanted to get paid on a day where she didn't do any work.
92.
1. Was he ever regarded as the best player in football? Did anybody, while he was active, ever suggest that he was the best player in football?
No. The only year where Monk would receive any consideration would be 1984 where he broke the single season reception record. And that was the year of Marino throwing for 5000+ yards, and Dickerson rushing for 2000+.
2. Was he the best player on his team?
Doubtful. Monk was the best skill player for them in 1984, and probably 1985. Not enough to be considered one of the all-time best in the franchise.
3. Was he the best player in football at his position? Was he the best player in the conference at his position?
No, and no. Even in his huge 1984 season, he was 4th in receiving yardage. Then Jerry Rice came along.
4. Did he have an impact on a number of great seasons?
Leaning towards no. For each of the Redskins 3 Super Bowl appearances, Monk did not have a big year. In 1983, Charlie Moore was still WAS's main target. In 1987, Monk was injured. And 1991, Gary Clark had better stats. Monk, however, did have solid playoff performances.
5. Was he good enough that he could play regularly after passing his prime?
Yes. Monk was still a productive player into his upper-30's.
6. Is he the very best football player in history who is not in the Hall of Fame?
No. He's not even the best receiver not in who was eligible last year.
7. Are most players who have comparable statistics in the Hall of Fame?
Eh... most. WR is a tough position to rate when guys like Lynn Swann are in. Also, many players around Monk's level have recently qualified for HOF voting, so many of them are not in.
8. Do the player's numbers meet Hall of Fame standards?
Yes. 8th in receptions. 12th in receiving yards. 2 Super Bowl titles. That would be more than enough in most circumstances...
9. Is there any evidence to suggest that the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by his statistics?
Monk's vast amount of receptions definitely overrate his value, statistically. The longevity of his career hasn't hurt.
10. Is he the best player at his position who is eligible for the Hall of Fame?
No.
11. How many MVP-type seasons did he have? Did he ever win an MVP award? If not, how many times was he close?
A tough argument for 1 in 1984 if there were lesser competition. Other than that, never close.
12. How many Pro Bowl-type seasons did he have? How many Pro-Bowl games did he play in? Did most of the players who played in this many Pro-Bowl games go into the Hall of Fame?
2, maybe 3 if you include 1989 which was a stacked year for WR's in the NFC.
3, he probably shouldn't have made the 1986 Pro Bowl.
All have higher or equal amount of Pro Bowl appearances. He's only tied with the highly debatable deserving PIT's receivers, and Charlie Joiner.
13. If this man were the best player on his team, would it be likely that the team could win their division/conference?
Probably not.
14. What impact did the player have on football history? Was he responsible for any rule changes? Did he change the game in any way?
No.
15. Did the player uphold the standards of sportsmanship and character that the Hall of Fame, in its written guidelines, instructs us to consider?
Yes. A quiet WR. A rarity these days.
Would he get my vote?
No. I flip-flop on Monk often... but I can't ignore that Monk wasn't even the best WR on his TEAM except for at best, a three year period. Most agree that Gary Clark was the playmaker for the Redskin offense, especially in the Posse days. And the stats agree with that. It's unfortunate that these great Redskin teams get shafted with the amount of HOF's. Monk simply was not a great player for long enough. He was a top tier WR for one, maybe two years at best. Monk was a very good WR for 15 years. But, it's not the Hall of Very Good. No matter how many pretty stats you rack up, and how many championships your team wins, in that amount of time.
91.
We take a break from stuff that PISSES ME OFF, to another HOF list. Except these are for football... not baseball ones like alkeiper and other inferior posters do.
For each player, I'll be using the Keltner list. Because I've always wanted to.
We'll start with Thurman Thomas.
I should note beforehand that I'm a huge fangirl for him and thus biased.
1. Was he ever regarded as the best player in football? Did anybody, while he was active, ever suggest that he was the best player in football?
Not by many. Although, I feel he was in consideration for this in 1991 and 1992.
2. Was he the best player on his team?
Yes. He was the best player on the best offense in the league for multiple years. If we include defensive players, Bruce Smith had occasional injury problems and was arguably slowing down after his huge year in 1990. Cornelius Bennett was Defensive MVP in 1991, so he's in consideration, also.
3. Was he the best player in football at his position? Was he the best player in the conference at his position?
Arguably, and definitely yes. It's very difficult to beat out a Barry Sanders in his prime, though.
4. Did he have an impact on a number of great seasons?
Yes. He was the starting HB of every game but 1 in the Bills' four Super Bowl runs.
5. Was he good enough that he could play regularly after passing his prime?
Yes, up to the point where injuries curtailed his career. Although, his quality of play did drop significantly after the Bills' Super Bowl runs.
6. Is he the very best football player in history who is not in the Hall of Fame?
Yes. Every comparable skilled possession player got in 1st ballot. If it wasn't for a stacked class last year, he would have been in. And should have been in, regardless.
7. Are most players who have comparable statistics in the Hall of Fame?
Yes.
8. Do the player's numbers meet Hall of Fame standards?
Absolutely.
Led the NFL in yards from scrimmage from 1989-1992. Enough said.
9. Is there any evidence to suggest that the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by his statistics?
Arguably. His stats are boosted because he played on one of the best offenses in the league. And he got many looks as a receiving threat, much more than his equal counterparts Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders. And he was on a quick-paced, often no-huddle team that gave more chances. But, I don't put much credence into this for football.
10. Is he the best player at his position who is eligible for the Hall of Fame?
Yes.
11. How many MVP-type seasons did he have? Did he ever win an MVP award? If not, how many times was he close?
I'd say 5, from 1989-1993. He was the majority MVP once in 1991. I'd guess he was in the top 5 the other 4 years.
12. How many Pro Bowl-type seasons did he have? How many Pro-Bowl games did he play in? Did most of the players who played in this many Pro-Bowl games go into the Hall of Fame?
5. 5. It's on the lower end of HOF RB's, with only Dorsett (4) and Riggins (1) from post-merger being lower. But, it's enough.
13. If this man were the best player on his team, would it be likely that the team could win their division/conference?
Yes, and he did.
14. What impact did the player have on football history? Was he responsible for any rule changes? Did he change the game in any way?
None. Although, he should make future Super Bowl players remember where their helmet is before the game.
15. Did the player uphold the standards of sportsmanship and character that the Hall of Fame, in its written guidelines, instructs us to consider?
He was arrested for marijuana possession after his career, and confessed to being an alcoholic before that. There's been other rumors, but Thurman is not noted for being a bad guy.
Would he get my vote?
Yes. He should have been in last year on his first try. He was statistically the best player at his position for FOUR straight years. And reached the Championship Game FOUR straight years. No other player can boast that, and it's unlikely that it will ever be equaled. 8th in career total yards. 12th in rushing. And that's with a relatively short career. A no-brainer for this overlooked player whose prime was shared with 2 other all-time greats.
8 p.m.
KKK's Top 103 Posters
Number 42: Rob E. Dangerously
I lik Rob, even though he threatened to extort me once because I posted something good about John Kerry a long time ago that said I might consider voting for him. Yes, I did say that once upon a time. Believe it or not, years ago I didn’t mind Kerry. I watched him on a number of talk shows and there were a few instances when he actually made sense. I remember one time back in 1999-2000 when Bill Clinton was talking about releasing oil from that so-called strategic reserve to try and lower gas prices. You know, that “reserve” we keep on hand so we’ll have enough gas for a week or two just in case terrorists blow up our energy infrastructure. Well Kerry said at the time Clinton’s idea was dumb and wouldn’t work. The problem, Kerry said, wasn’t that we were running low on oil but rather we didn’t have enough refineries to keep up with demand. Even if Clinton released this extra oil, there would be no place to refine it. Wow. A Democrat who actually made sense. Maybe this Kerry isn’t such a bad guy after all. Of course, during the ’04 election Kerry was saying that Bush should be doing the SAME THING CLINTON WAS ADVOCATING all those years ago in an attempt to lower gas prices. Et tu, Kerry? Where was I? Oh, Rob. Well, he also had a sense of humor about being a God-hating commie fag, and that’s always good, too.
And now a word or two from the expert panel I have put together to comment on the people I’ve listed.
From EricMM:
From Cancer Marney:
7:30 p.m.
• These bears got married -- is it any surprise to these zoo people why they don't want to have sex? And "Panda porn." Awesome.
You go, playa.
7:15 p.m.
• Oh, NBA. What am I going to do with you? From the headline of an article titled: "Pacers, Warriors Make Blockbuster Trade."
Who? What? This is blockbuster? Actually, it might be. I don't follow the NBA much these days during the regular season. I remember back in the early 1990s I used to follow this kind of thing day in and day out. Oh well. Now the younger generation can keep up with PPG stats and other meaningless crap while I do more important grown-up things like ... post here.
FUCK.
Well, I might as well peep the NBA standings now and see what's going on. I see Toronto is in first place in the Atlantic Division -- with a record of 18-21. And New York isn't in last place? Wow. Cleveland is in first in the Central. Yay. Actually, good for the Cavs -- I'm a LeBron fan although those ads with him as 20 different people are retarded. But if he likes doing them then more power to him. Orlando dropped from first and Washington is taking the top spot in the Southeast. Mimai is only three games under .500 -- they'll be fine come playoff time. Over in the Northwest Division Utah is in first with the A.I. Nuggets in third place. Phoenix is kicking ass in the Pacific, followed by the Lakers. Clippers don't seem to be doing as well as they did last year. Damn, Dallas, San Antonio and Houston are above .600 -- I almost feel bad for New Orleans and Memphis. That's it until the next time I feel motivated to see what the heck is going on in the NBA.
7:45 a.m.
• Well I had one of those weird moments on the way to work. As I was driving along Rt. 30, I noticed an accident in the lane next to me. Now I try not to gawk at accident scenes while driving. The only times I do are if I’m a passenger in a vehicle or if I was stuck in traffic for a long time because of some motorist’s negligence. I figure if they are making me burn unnecessary fuel, add more wear-and-tear to my car and delaying my trip from Point A to Point B, the least I should be allowed to do is look at what caused my delay. Anyway, from my split-second glimpse of the scene, and the deer laying at the side of the road, I’m guessing a car tried to avoid hitting a deer, failed and the car behind the first motorist rear-ended him. This got me the thinking how someone’s life can change in just a few seconds. What if I had gotten up after the third time my snooze alarm went off instead of the fourth? What if I had sped through a yellow light a few miles prior to this accident scene rather than stopping at it? What if I had packed my lunch for work the night before instead of taking a few minutes this morning to put soup, some yogurt and granola/cereal bars in my lunch cooler? Could I have been the person trying to avoid the deer? Could I have been the one to get struck by another motorist? Thankfully, I'll never know. Then again, I'm sure something sucky will happen to me in the next week or so to have me questioning why didn't I leave several minutes before/after I actually did.
Starting to watch a lot of wrestling again, and I whipped up a couple of reviews.
Chigusa Nagayo vs. Devil Masami (8/22/85)
This was pro-wrestling in its purest form. It wasn't about good vs. evil or trying to avoid or hit a specific move. It was about two competitors trying to win a wrestling match. And both Chigusa and Devil really, really wanted to win. Everything was fought for, nothing was given. Every early mat-hold was contested. Chigusa got the short end of the stick early on, but she never stopped trying to fight her way out of Devil's holds. And why wouldn't she, the holds hurt right? They sure looked like it, as both girls did a phenomenal job putting over the damage of the early mat-work, with excellent facials and clear body language. In some matches, the early mat-work seems to be given a passing thought. Not here, where it seemed like life or death from the very start.
The struggle and competitiveness extended itself to the rest of the match. Suplexes and slams were fought for and against. It makes sense, but it also made for great timing, which is something missing from a lot of matches today. It makes such a large difference when the wrestlers fight for moves instead of just hitting them right away. It builds anticipation for the move and makes them that much more important. Maybe the best example of this was Chigusa's late match cross-armed german suplex. Chigusa slowly hooked it in while Devil frantically tried to struggle out of it, to no avail. When the move was hit, it made for an excellent near fall, one that the crowd bought into as the finish. Most all of the big moves in this match were timed and fought for well, which added to the drama, and put the moves over to the audience.
While the main reasons this match was so great are covered above, there were a few other things that stand out, good and bad. Devil's absolutely devastating punches for one. These were some big league knocks Chigusa was taking, I can't remember the last women's match I'd seen with such great punches. The selling was just fantastic, most notably the late match selling which put over how much sheer energy each girl had used up. This was one of the big reasons the match came off as epic as it did. On the negative side, I wasn't crazy about the late match structure and transitioning, as it seemed like a few of the transitions came at perplexing moments. For example, a couple times it seemed like Chigusa or Devil would get hit with a move for a near fall, and then almost right after, transition into control without any reversal or comeback made. It didn't happen often, but was just a small annoyance late in the match.
Finally, the double KO finish made sense, because the match had really been quite even. Devil got the better of it early, Chigusa eventually fought back to somewhat equal footing, and they each took their fair share of bombs late in the match. Some things might have been done to add a little more drama to the finish, because I don't feel it got over as well as it could have, but it was definitely the right finish for the match.
I really liked this match. The "competitive" style of pro-wrestling is absolutely my favourite style. I'll take two wrestlers going at it in a rough, hard-fought wrestling match over a more theatrical approach any day. This match was basically that, and in that context, was performed almost as well as I could expect. ****1/2
Homicide vs. Bryan Danielson (6/3/06)
This was the Homicide show, as he really stole the spotlight in the match. Early portions were fairly pedestrian, until they go out to the floor and brawl around a bit, while Danielson starts going to town on Homicide's shoulder. Homicide really shines in his role as the face, as his selling of the arm is top notch and natural (unlike some other ROH workers whose selling is rather unnatural). Things eventually build to both men missing moves from the top, which really made things interesting for the last few minutes, as it was back and forth after that. Danielson is working his heel schtick pretty good, even in the later portions of the match. For example when both guys are slugging each other and really getting the crowd going, Danielson goes for the eyes as he's losing the striking match, which got a great reaction due to the timing.
Unfortunately, Danielson's timing on some of his late match moves isn't strong, as he blows off some previous offense and goes through a dragon suplex like nothing, without bothering to milk it for heat or dramatic effect. Best near-fall of the match was Homicide's frog splash, which he hit after fighting off a Danielson superplex attempt. A good example of getting a hot near-fall out of a counter. Finish wasn't great, mostly because the Danielson elbows didn't look particularly effective, and a ref stoppage should really warrant some nasty looking punishment. The booking of it was fine, because it kept Homicide strong, it just wasn't performed well. The match was still rather good, and makes me look forward to their rematch. ***1/2
90.
Things that PISS ME OFF: Part X.
Forcing Spanish on US Citizens.
I'm definitely not as hard on this as most other right-wing wackos are. I fully understand the importance of speaking multiple languages. Infact, it's a little embarassing that just about all of my European and South American friends can speak, or at least try to speak, many languages including English.
But, when a different language is FORCED on a country, that's wrong. If you're moving to another country, you still have to give the effort to learn that language. I'm sure it's an inconvenience for those people, but it's definitely worse to force this on millions of others.
One of the toughest parts of finding a job in Arizona is the bilingual factor. I'd say at least 1/3 of the jobs I was looking at REQUIRED you to speak Spanish very well. And that's just getting higher and higher. Even in Western New York, which has amongst the lowest amount of Hispanics in the nation, had a significant amount of jobs requiring this. When it reaches this point, this is simply WRONG. My career and well-being should not be damaged because people don't want to learn a fucking language. If you don't want to learn English, stay in Mexico. Thanks.
After all, English is not my first language. And I speak it better than most people who've been here their entire life. Lazy fucks.
8:30 p.m.
• I forgot about this. On the drive to work this morning I noticed a truck with a Bush/Cheney bumper sticker stuck on its rear bumper and a Bush/Cheney decal on its back window. Cool, I guess. I see so many damn Kerry/Union bumper stickers around Shittsburgh it's not even funny. Well, it is but I digress. Anyway, this guy also had some label hung up on his truck. I don't think it was a sticker, but who knows -- it was 6:15 a.m. What did this sticker-thingy say? Tool. I'm pretty sure it was unintentional, but it still got a laugh out of me.
• So Mrs. kkk's boss at the pizza shop gave her a b-day card. It was a picture of a gorilla and on the inside he wrote "Happy MLK Day." This also got a laugh out of me.
• And I thought the Canadian health care system was supposed to be ideal. That's what the commies in my country always tell me.
1:45 p.m.
• And now it's time for the Dr. Laura call of the day (or whenever I feel like doing this). This mom was pissed off because her adult son always talks about himself when they chat on the phone. The mom said that she's sick of hearing him talk about his truck, so if he can't converse (or something) then she should just say "bye." He took the latter and now she's upset. Speaking from personal experience, guys, the best way to piss a woman off isn't to disagree with them during a fight but rather agree with them.
Her: "THAT'S IT! I'M SLEEPING ON THE COUCH!"
You: "OK."
Her: "THESE PLATES ARE STILL DIRTY!! YOU ARE NEVER WASHING DISHES AGAIN!!"
You: "OK."
Her: "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WOULD FUCK MY BEST FRIEND!!! I'M NEVER SPEAKING TO YOU AGAIN!!!"
You: "OK."
Detect a pattern here? And no, the pattern isn't that I'm a shitty husband. I know that already.
12:15 p.m.
• Barak Osama just took the first step to announce his presidential bid.
HE SPEAKS SO WELL!!!! Whatever. I know next-to-nothing about him, but it's obvious he's a pile of liberal dogshit wrapped up in a pretty bow. I just hope for his sake he doesn't make a campaign stop at Fort Marcy Park. Well, Hitlery probably won't off him just yet. He's so going to be her running mate. Man if that ticket wins, '08 is going to suck.
I was trying to figure something out to relate to the NFL Playoffs for a blog entry. I originally thought about looking back at random playoff games from the past that may have been forgotten but doing research on the internet for football is a hell of lot harder than baseball. But as I was watching the divisional playoffs and the Bears were on the ropes against the Seahawks I was wondering when was the last time both #1 seeds lost in the divisional playoffs? The Bears of course won but the AFC #1 seeded Chargers lost but I did find out the last time it happened was the 1979 playoffs when the Cowboys and, you guessed it, the Chargers both lost as #1 seeds in the divisonal round.
So for a random, useless fact list I figured I'd take a look at how each #1 seed has faired in the playoffs. Now I only look at the playoffs since 1978 when the Wild Card round was added as the NFL has the same basic playoff structure (except for the '82 strike year) since then with the only major change being when they expanded the field from 10 to 12 teams in 1990. Good news for the Bears this Sunday is that only four times since '78 have both #1's seeds not reached the Super Bowl, the last being 1997 (Chiefs/49ers). On the flip side both #1 seeds haven't advanced to the Super Bowl since 1993 (Bills/Cowboys), which incidently enough was the last season before the salary cap. Not sure if that is a coincidence or not.
1978
AFC: Steelers
-Won Super Bowl
NFC: Rams
-Lost NFC Championship
1979
AFC: Chargers
-Lost Divisional playoff
NFC: Cowboys
-Lost Divisional playoff
1980
AFC: Chargers
-Lost AFC Championship
NFC: Falcons
-Lost Divisional playoff
1981
AFC: Bengals
-Lost Super Bowl
NFC: 49ers
-Won Super Bowl
1982
AFC: Raiders
-Lost in Second Round
NFC: Redskins
-Won Super Bowl
1983
AFC: Raiders
-Won Super Bowl
NFC: Redskins
-Lost Super Bowl
1984
AFC: Dolphins
-Lost Super Bowl
NFC: 49ers
-Won Super Bowl
1985
AFC: Raiders
-Lost Divisional playoff
NFC: Bears
-Won Super Bowl
1986
AFC: Browns
-Lost AFC Championship
NFC: Giants
-Won Super Bowl
1987
AFC: Broncos
-Lost Super Bowl
NFC: 49ers
-Lost Divisional playoffs
1988
AFC: Bengals
-Lost Super Bowl
NFC: Bears
-Lost NFC Championship
1989
AFC: Broncos
-Lost Super Bowl
NFC: 49ers
-Won Super Bowl
1990
AFC: Bills
-Lost Super Bowl
NFC: 49ers
-Lost NFC Championship
1991
AFC: Bills
-Lost Super Bowl
NFC: Redskins
-Won Super Bowl
1992
AFC: Steelers
-Lost Divisional playoff
NFC: 49ers
-Lost NFC Championship
1993
AFC: Bills
-Lost Super Bowl
NFC: Cowboys
-Won Super Bowl
1994
AFC: Steelers
-Lost AFC Championship
NFC: 49ers
-Won Super Bowl
1995
AFC: Chiefs
-Lost Divisional playoff
NFC: Cowboys
-Won Super Bowl
1996
AFC: Broncos
-Lost Divisional playoff
NFC: Packers
-Won Super Bowl
1997
AFC: Chiefs
-Lost Divisional playoff
NFC: 49ers
-Lost NFC Championship
1998
AFC: Broncos
-Won Super Bowl
NFC: Vikings
-Lost NFC Championship
1999
AFC: Jaguars
-Lost AFC Championship
NFC: Rams
-Won Super Bowl
2000
AFC: Titans
-Lost Divisional playoff
NFC: Giants
-Lost Super Bowl
2001
AFC: Steelers
-Lost AFC Championship
NFC: Rams
-Lost Super Bowl
2002
AFC: Raiders
-Lost Super Bowl
NFC: Eagles
-Lost NFC Championship
2003
AFC: Patriots
-Won Super Bowl
NFC: Eagles
-Lost NFC Championship
2004
AFC: Steelers
-Lost AFC Championship
NFC: Eagles
-Lost Super Bowl
2005
AFC: Colts
-Lost Divisional playoff
NFC: Seahawks
-Lost Super Bowl
2006
AFC: Chargers
-Lost Divisional playoff
NFC: Bears
-???
89.
Things that PISS ME OFF: Part IX.
NFL Popularity.
We already know my feelings on the current mediocre NFL product.
Currently, the top 4, and basically only active threads on TSM, are about the NFL. Grar. Give other sports a chance.
Recently an ESPN Sportsnation poll stated that approximately 83% of respondents do not believe Tim Raines was a Hall of Fame caliber player. This is extremely unfortunately. Tim Raines was not only a Hall of Famer, but if left out he would clearly stand as the most deserving player left out. On statistics alone, he rates higher than Mark McGwire. In making this argument I am going to attempt to avoid bogging down the argument with too many sabermetrics. Runs Created Above Average and WARP3 might view Raines as deserving, but they are not going to convince the casual fan. My goal is to convince the casual baseball fan that Raines deserves the Hall.
Tim Raines' stat line is not convincing at first glance. A .385 On Base Percentage is good but not among the greats. .425 is quite pedestrian for a slugging percentage. Delving into Raines' value requires more work. Start with his stolen bases (808, 5th all time). The four players with more steals are all in the Hall, and Vince Coleman is the only non-Hall of Famer among the top ten. Of those ten, Raines was caught stealing the least, only 146 times. In fact, Raines' stolen base percentage of 84% is the greatest stolen base percentage of all time. Raines reached base almost 4,000 times in his career, good for 38th all time. When he did reach base, which was often, he was absolute terror on the basepaths. He's 46th all time in runs scored. 32nd in walks.
Tim Raines vs. Jim Rice
Jim Rice seems like an inexplicable Hall candidate. Let's compare the two. Raines played in over 400 more games, collecting more runs, hits, doubles, triples, steals, walks, and less strikeouts and double plays. Those are counting statistics so maybe that is unfair. Raines' OBP is 33 points higher. Rice played in eight All-Star games, Raines played in seven. Rice played left field and DH'ed in Fenway Park, while Raines played left field in Stade Olympique.
But Rice's argument is all about peak. In 1978 Rice won the MVP award, hitting .315 with 46 home runs and 139 RBIs. That is impressive. Compare that with Raines in 1987. Raines hit .330, had a .429 OBP (59 points higher than Rice), walked 90 times, hit 18 home runs, scored 123 runs, and stole 50 bases in 55 tries. Rice was a feared hitter? Raines was intentionally walked 26 times, 14 out of the leadoff slot. In fact, Raines was intentionally walked more than 10 times in a season four times. Rice was intentionally walked ten times in his best season. What all this indicates to me is that managers saw Rice as a power threat, but one they could beat. Raines? No way. (In fact, Raines' prolific on base tendencies earned Tim Wallach 123 RBIs and a 4th place MVP finish.)
Tim Raines vs. Lou Brock
Brock is seen as a good Hall of Famer. 3,000 hits, held the record for stolen bases until Rickey Henderson. Draw up the list, and Raines is clearly a superior player. Raines stole 130 less bases, but was caught 161 less times. Raines had a higher batting average, higher slugging percentage, and a MUCH higher on base percentage. Raines had 400 less hits but over 500 more walks. More impressively, Raines actually appeared in more All-Star games.
Win Shares
Skip this part if you don't believe in the stat at all, but you may find this enlightening. Tim Raines has 390 career win shares. Every player with 400+ win shares is in the Hall of Fame. Two players with more win shares than Raines are out. One is Tony Mullane, who racked up wins pitching in the inferior American Association in the 1880s. The other is Bill Dahlen, an unheralded infielder of the turn of the century. There are 70 players with more than 363 win shares, and all but two who are eligible are in. That's rare company, and Raines is smack in the middle of it.
I hope if you were unconvinced, you are now. If not, I'd like to hear from you.
9:15 p.m.
• The Golden Globes are currently on. Don't care.
• Hey, there's actual progress going on in the Middle East. We've got outrage over someone getting his head chopped off.
5:15
• Great. I was watching ESPN and just heard Tom Jackson talk about Martin Luther King and I just learned that T.J. and I are born on the same day, which happens to be on the month/day that MLK got shot.
• LOL at the Chargers whining about the Patriots being sore winners
Here's some advice. You don't want the other team dissing your logo on the 50-yard line? Don't let them win. Either that or chop block the haters next season.
• Steelers Offensive Coordinator Ken Whisenhunt signed a four-year deal to coach the Arizona Cardinals Wow, he must like suffering. Actually, it'll be interesting to see what he can do with that offense. Looks like Russ Grimm is the likely choice to coach the Steelers. Eh, don't really care. Actually, I hope they hire the token black guy who got interviewed -- some guy from Minnesota -- just to piss off all the racists in my region. And, no, I'm not referring to myself.
88.
Things that PISS ME OFF: Part VIII.
ESPN's tennis coverage.
Dear ESPN, we know you really don't want to show tennis.
Most of your viewers want NFL NFL NFL. Show them 24 hours of NFL NFL NFL STEVE SMITH TOM CAPTAIN CLUTCH BRADY.
So, please stop with the tennis. We won't miss you. Please spare us. Because, really, you know Chris Fowler fucking sucks with every stupid thing he says about tennis. He does college football so well. Keep him there.
Ok I got a bit of writers block on how to start this blog, so if the beginning sucks...to bad.
I re-started my training offically on Thursday, the 4th. It went...well. It was just me, Helfyre, Kiara Dillon, and Anton. Josh and Neil had something personnal to take care of, while Tim had a few wrestling meets to attend to. Tim coaches high school wrestling and I think its mid-season right now so he's pretty much in and out of training at the moment.
I was a bit nervous getting back in the ring..also cold....its freaking cold in the Bay Area right now....I already miss June. Practices/training sessions (whatever you want to call them.) always start out with some light warms to get the body nice and warm. A line forms in a corner and we start with some simple stuff. First we start out with some forward rolls, then after a few times of these we move on to handstand bumps. A handstand bump is basically what it sounds like, you go into a handstand and then do a back bump from there. Then for a 3rd thing, it sorta get switched up a bit. Either we walk out from the corner and do a back bump in the middle of the ring, or we do some forward flips, or something else....luckily we did the walk from the corner and do a back bump in the middle of the ring.
I have trouble with front flipping, i'm not completely comfortable with doing them yet as I have landed on my head a few times from not being able to complete the flip...I'm not very atheltic when it comes to jumping. So after our warm ups, we did some line bumps (stand in the middle and do a back bump.) and then after that, we did some different moves, I can't remember everything we worked on but I think it was some chain wrestling, arm drags from the corner, and some scoop slams. I'm sure they're was other stuff as well, I just can't remember. I did ok, I know i was a little sloppy with some of the stuff because it had been such a long time since I've actually done any of it but no one got hurt...OH WAIT NOW I REMEMBER SOMETHING ELSE....we did roll ups from the ropes. Thats right..oh that sucked.
Its sorta hard to explain, because the scenrio really doesn't have a name but basically its when someone hooks the other person around the wasit and throws them into the ropes, bounces them off, and rolls them over and pins them. Basically it starts looking like someone is about to be Germaned but instead the guy stays hooked around the wasit, the two do a backward roll and the guy who hooked the other guy by the wasit ends up pinning the other person..like I said it's hard to explain because the whole thing really doesn't have a name. I remember this now because I couldn't do this at all because I kept trying to over roll and yeah, it just didn't work and I actdently squashed Kiara by accident. :0)
So anyways, yeah, I did ok on Thursday. Saturday it was myself, Helfyre, Anton, and Alexis Smirnoff Jr. Smirnoff normally comes down on Saturdays to help train. Josh/Neil/and Tim still weren't there. I also found out Neil decided to take a break from the training for some reason, so he at the moment may not be returning for a few weeks. Anton and I worked on a lot of chain wrestling that day, head-lock into a wrist lock, reverse in a hammer lock, back into a head-lock, then do a head-lock take down, stuff like that. I really do enjoy the chain wrestling stuff as its simple but yet effective and when done right, looks great. I started out sloppy but as time went by, I started getting the hang of it and got my pacing together and I was told it was looking good. Myself and Anton also got to work on something new as well.
We started with me in a headlock, Anton would then lead me over to a corner of his choosing and I when we got close enough, Anton would put his left foot on the bottom rope, then his right foot on the 2nd rope, he's jump off and we'd turn and on his way down still with the headlock on me, he'd do a head lock take down. This was new to both of us and we had no trouble with it. Actually I take that back, when I had the headlock on Anton, there was a small thing where my head almost didn't clear the ring and got driven down into it but we made a last second adjustment so that didn't happen. It still looked good and we ended up in the right position but we did it again just to make sure we had it right.
I don't remember much about Monday and Thursday practice....I think Thursday was just me and Anton but I can't remember what we worked on. I do remember Saturday the 13th however....you know come to think about it, maybe it was Monday we did the roll ups from the ropes.....yeah I do think it was Monday. Anyways, on to Saturday.
Saturday I was late, practice was suppose to start at 10:30 but I had partyed the night before and was just to lazy to do anything on Saturday morning...so I ended up getting there 10 minutes before 11. Luckily practice hadn't started yet. When I got there Tim, Josh, and Helfyre was standing next to the ring. Anton showed up 4 minutes after I did. After Anton showed up, I noticed someone new on our side of the gym. I really didn't pay much attention to this new person because I wasn't sure why she was on our side of the gym. When we started to get going, she got up on the ring. I asked if she was a our new person and she said she was, I introduced myself to her and she shook my name and told me her name was Jody.
Practice started with the normal warm ups, then we went into some drop down/leap frogs and I was having trouble with these. I don't know why I was having trouble, with these. I just kept screwing them up. We were suppose to do a set of 4 but I think I did around 10 of them because I kept messing them up. I felt bad for Josh because I gave him a good cardio work out because of me screwing up. I finally got them down about 5 minutes of not being able to do them right. We then practiced on a few more things and of course I was sloppy with bad pacing. I actdently got Tim on the nose with a finger while we doing lock ups but managed to do what we were suppose to do.
I know its only been a week in a half since I re-started my training but being sloppy and now having good pacing is starting to get to me a little bit. I got frustrated on Saturday with the leap frog and the drop down stuff because I couldn't get it right even though I know I could have. I'll get it down in time but my main concern at the moment is that the others I'm working with are going to suffer because I can't get it right. Like I said, I gave Josh a good cardio work out when he didn't want to and I acidently bonked Tim on the face twice on Saturday, once in the fore head with my two feet because of bad timing and once in the nose with my finger on the mis-cued locked up. Hopefully I get my sloppyness and bad pacing fixed soon.
After a few hours of training, we did a few practice matches.
The first match was Helfyre vs Anton vs Josh vs Tim in a elimation match with me as ref. It was going fine, until a simple mistake. Tim had a thumb in the eye thing going on with Josh and I was counting to 5. Now this entire time, I'm waiting for Tim to either stop it or to whisper to me that I should try to break it up or should DQ him. So I get to 4 on a 2nd count and he still hasn't fucking taken his thumb off Josh's eye. I'm fucking confused because honestly, who the fuck would think being DQ'ed because your thumbing in the eye is a good idea? So I looked towards Helfyre because I'm confused and he tells me to DQ him, so I DQ'ed Tim because he was thumbing Josh in the eye....moving on. So the match gets finished and I'm standing on the aporn catching my breath and Tim chimes with this...."Toby you need to sell the sell.
Sell the sell? Huh? So I ask him what he means and he's telling me I should have counted to 5 because I just made it look dumb for not counting to 5. I responded with "you need to tell me what your doing if thats what you planned on doing." I mean how am I suppose to know thats what the hell he wanted to do. Seriously who the hell wants to be DQ'ed because they wouldn't stop thumbing someone in the eye. Me and Tim actually started arguing about this, and he actually told me "We do things by the cuff here."....THE FUCK!? By the cuff? What the hell? At this point, I told him unless he tells me what he's going to do, I'm not going to do anything for him except count to 5 or count to 3. If he doesn't either tell me what he wants to do or re-acts to me finishing my count, thats on him and if he looks dumb because of it, not my issue. I can't help him ,if he can't help me. Helfyre did say we were both right as I should have counted to 5 regardless and Tim should have told me what he was planning but thats true but Tim could have been a less of a dick about it.
After that, we did one more match where I actually did wrestle in this one...actually I take that back, I was the bumping dummie. I bumped a lot, I felt good afterwards because it had been such a long time since I bumped so much but there were a few things I didn't feel comfortable about doing during the match and I think the guys got a little frustrated with that but if I'm not ready to do something, I don't want to do it, hopefully they understand that. After the 2nd match, practice was over and I went home.
I have practice again tomorrow, hopefully it goes well. I thinking about doing a weekly update and maybe posting the important major stuff that happens. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this blog and if anyone has any commets or questions please feel free to ask or post.
9:15 p.m.
Well today was when we celebrated the better half's birthday. It's not until tomorrow, but seeing how it's a workday (for me anyway and for her regarding the second job) we generally give presents for a b-day on the weekend before. When it's my birthday we go to Red Lobster (she hates watching me eat crab legs and lobster tail, and frankly I don't blame her). For her day it's usually Chinese takeout. Of course I went in to work in the early morning and came back with a bitch of a flu. And I have to go in tomorrow. Yippie. I got her Season 1 of the Ghost Whisperer. I'm pretty sure the black chick from Talk Soup is on this show, and I seem to remember a few actors/actresses appear in guest spots on this series that were on other shows she used to watch. (Providence and Charmed to name a few.) Well, I guess she'll be watching this nonstop until the next season of Charmed comes out on DVD. It could be worse. I heard Carolyn Manheim is on Season 2 of this show. Well, that's going to take away any impure thoughts I'll have with Jennifer Love Hewitt. I also got her Season 7 of Seinfeld and Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet CD. But it's not just any CD it's some hippie DUAL CD/DVD/CAR ALARM THAT ALSO ACTS AS A REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR'S MICROWAVE! I have a few of these "special" CDs, but I never bother to play around with them. A while back I bought a ton of these "remastered" ACDC albums that supposedly have unlockable stuff in them, but I'm never in the mood to fiddle with them. When I want to listen to ACDC I'll play ACDC. Whenever I want to insert one of these things in my computer I ... well, I never really want to. Oh well. I guess it's nice to have all these neat-o features on something that I'll never use than to never have them at all. This is sort of the same way with DVD special features. I can't remember the last time I watched a special feature of anything, but yet you just "have" to have all that extra footage and behind-the-scenes stuff that is about as exciting as watching paint dry (or reading this blog.) But, once again, 'tis better to have it than to not.
I decided to try this Alka-Seltzer liquid cold medicine to battle this most recent bout with the flu. I'm less than impressed. Then again, I've only had one treatment. I'm a bit disappointed this hasn't knocked me out on my ass already. That's the whole purpose of that "nighttime" medicine. I want to take it and then go, "Damn, this ... is .... some good shit," fall asleep and wake up the next day not remembering how I made it to bed. I figure it never hurts to try out new medicine, especially when it's on sale. That way, if you get jewed out of your value, it's nice to know you didn't pay full retail price for it. Well, I'm about to take a second dosage. Out.
Now that the college football season is over I finally had a Saturday morning to sit down and watch Game 6 of the 1975 World Series in one sitting and now eventually will be able to finish off all three World Series box sets. For the remaining games I'll do an entry for Game 6 & 7 of the '79 Series and then an entry for both Game 7's of the '75 & '86 Series.
On a side note while I was doing my post-Christmas shopping with some gift cards I received I found another box set of classic games at Best Buy that was put out by A&E Home Video, who did the World Series sets, but this one was not baseball related. I bought College Football's Greatest Games: University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish Collector's Edition. Ya I'm not proud of myself but it was on sale and I haven't seen a set like this before for college football before so I had to pick it up. Not all of the games are true classics as a few are blowouts that were important to Notre Dame but no one else but there a couple of games on the set I think I'll do future write ups for. Anyways moving on to Game 6...
1975 World Series Game 6 - Red Sox 7, Reds 6 12 innings (boxscore and play account)
-This game was delayed three days due to rain which allowed the Red Sox to start Luis Tiant who had been dominate in Games 1 & 4. They flash a graphic at the beginning of the game of Tiant's previous five starts at Fenway: 5-0, 45 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 20 H, 8 BB, 33 SO, 0.20 ERA. Red Sox had to feel confident after Fred Lynn spotted Tiant a 3-0 lead with a homerun in the first.
-The video quality has been spotty for this and the 1979 set but is very good for this game which is no surprise as I'm sure over the years people have made sure to keep the original footage of this game in good condition.
-Red Sox have a couple opportunities to blow this game open with bases loaded in the 3rd inning and 2nd & 3rd with one out in 4th inning but fail to score.
-Tiant shows his first signs of vulnerability in the series in the 5th when he walks light hitting Ed Armbrister, who was pinch hitting for the pitcher, which will help lead to the Reds first runs of the game. In this innings is the famous play when Lynn slams into the wall trying to catch a Ken Griffey flyball and appears to have been seriously hurt but stays in the game. Griffey ended up with a two-run triple.
-The game starts to reach it's classic level in the bottom of the 8th with the Reds up 6-3 and four outs away from the championship, when with two on Bernie Carbo hits his second pinch hit homerun of the series to tie it up off Reds' relief ace Rawly Eastwick.
-Red Sox nearly win it in the 9th as they loaded the bases with no one out but on a shallow flyball to left hit by Lynn, Don Zimmer sends Denny Doyle from 3rd and he is gunned down by George Foster at the plate for the double play.
-Some almost controversy in the top of the 11th as Pete Rose fakes his way into a HBP. Carlton Fisk argues but to no avail and replays show the pitch did not hit Rose. This would be erased when Dwight Evans makes a sensational catch to potentially rob Joe Morgan of a homerun (might have hit the wall if he doesn't get it) and doubles Griffey off of first to end the inning.
-Of course we know what happens in the 12th. It is still bizarre watching games like this and seeing fans among Fisks' teammates as they mob him at homeplate as we were still several years away from when MLB started to crackdown on fans running on to the field.
-This was one quite the hearbreaker for the Reds for blowing the three run lead in the 8th, Evans robbing Morgan in the 11th, and the Fisk walk off this could have been a crippling defeat for a franchise that hadn't won the World Series since 1940 and suffered a tough World Series loss three years earlier against the A's. But as we know it didn't turn out so bad for them.
8:45 p.m.
• So I'm flipping channels during commercials of the Eagles/Saints game and what do I come across? Vh1's white rapper show.
Oh my God. So the fat chick is saying the 'n' word. LOL. Wow is this so bad. PUT YOUR HATS ON STRAIGHT! Now the fat chick is crying because she said "nigga," had to wear a big necklace that said "N-Word" and is now crying because she said that word? I think I found my new favorite train wreck.
8 p.m.
• Well, nobody farted at the funeral today, but I got the thinking. Even though I'm old for TSM message board standards, I'm still young out there in the real world and don't really think of death. I do more than I used to, but it's still not very much. In fact, except for a freak accident while driving or something like that, I can't imagine dying right now. However, would I feel the same should I make it to age 70+? I mean, would I be opening my arms to the reaper at this time, or would I want to whittle away at some nursing home because I can't walk up stairs and always pooping my pants? Actually, I wonder what nursing homes would be like when I'm old. By that time, Internet-experienced people like myself would probably demand Internet access in every room. Christ, that would be something. Logging onto this place in 2027 and still hearing about how the McMahons are screwing up their company. I'm not sure if I'd be looking forward to death, even if I get to be of that age. Probably because I'd always want to know who wins the next championship in professional sports. "Yeah, I made it to see the Nashville Rockies win the '31 World Series, but the Stanley Cup is only six months away, and I want to see if the Kansas City Penguins can win Lord Stanley's Cup."
"
8 a.m.
• Indianapolis at Baltimore (4.5)
This game would favor Baltimore, but I seem to remember the Colts having the Ravens’ number over the past few years. Hey, I was right.
Nevertheless, with Baltimore having McNair at quarterback and playing at home, I think this will be the time the Ravens pull one out. Baltimore 20, Indianapolis 10.
Philadelphia at New Orleans (5.5)
The season after Katrina hit and now the Saints are hosting a playoff game. If it wasn’t for this, I would be going with the Eagles. New Orleans 24, Philadelphia 17.
Seattle at Chicago (8.5)
The Bears still have a question mark at the quarterback spot, but because they’re playing the Seahawks, I don’t think it will matter – not even with that point spread. If Chicago pummeled Seattle in the regular season like they did (37-6), I don’t see much of a change now. Chicago 26, Seattle 13.
New England at San Diego (4.5)
OK, I’ve heard all week from sports pundits that this is the year Marty Schottenheimer wins the big game. I can’t do that just yet. I still have memories of that Chiefs’ upset back in the mid-90s when Marty had his team at a 13-3 record. I remember all those Browns teams who couldn’t get it done in the playoffs. I remember that 12-4 record back during the 2004-05 season that resulted in a wild-card loss to the Jet. Could the Chargers win it all? Sure. But Marty has to show he can take the necessary steps to get to the big game. The Patriots have done that in spades. New England 17, San Diego 14. (With that said, watch the Chargers win 30-0)
87.
Blu-Ray and HD-DVD.
Why must types of storage constantly change? It's a ripoff.
So, in 5 years, DVD players will be dead. And we'll have to spend hundreds on whatever stupid new thing is the "winner" of the media wars.
Fuck that. Technology is a bad thing when it rapes my wallet. Put everything on DVD. Sell a 100 pack of DVD's for fifty cents. I'm content with that.
"OH, BUT HDTV!!! IT'S SO NEATO!!"
Fuck you. I just want to watch shit. If I want to see pretty, realistic stuff, I'll go outside. Which I can do, unlike hermits like Marvin. And those hermits can go commit suicide and not drag worthwhile people like me down.
86.
DRM (Digital Rights Management).
If you've downloaded any illegal movies or music in the past year or so, you've probably got some of these. I fucking hate them. HATE THEM. I just want to watch my porn.
So, I downloaded basically the entire Hustler site the past 2 days. And now I have to run programs to delete all the damn DRM's so I can play them on my XBox. Fuckers.
I'd be so pissed if I actually paid for this stuff.
Tony Oliva: Impressive career OPS+ of 131 over a 15 year career. Oliva made eight All-Star teams, finished sixth or higher in MVP votes four times, and won three batting titles. Oliva played his prime in an extremely tough offensive era. His peak is fairly impressive. However, Oliva does not rank in the top 100 of any offensive category except intentional walks. Only one of Oliva's ten most comparable players is in the Hall. That player, George Kelly, is considered one of the worst players in the Hall. As a right fielder, Oliva's totals just don't stack up.
Al Oliver: Oliver is an interesting Hall of Fame candidate. Oliver hit .303 over his career, made seven All-Star teams and enjoyed three top ten MVP finishes. He wasn't a great player at any point however. Looking over center fielders in the 1970s, Oliver ranks behind Fred Lynn, Bobby Murcer, Cesar Cedeno, Amos Otis and maybe Rick Monday. Oliver is indistinguishable from several of his era, not the mark of a Hall of Famer.
Vada Pinson: Like Oliver, Pinson accumulated great counting totals from being a good player for a long time. Pinson collected 2,757 career hits. Again however, there is little to support that Pinson was a great player. Pinson made just two All-Star games, and won just one Gold Glove, meaning his defensive capabilities can't carry him in. Pinson only finished in the Top ten of MVP balloting twice. His numbers do not merit induction.
Ron Santo: Off all players on the ballot, Santo is the one player who absolutely beyond a shadow of a doubt deserves induction. At the time of his retirement, Santo ranked 5th among third basemen in hits, second in home runs, 3rd in OPS, and 2nd in RBIs. He also won five Gold Gloves. He was a dominant offensive/defensive player for five years.
Luis Tiant: Best known for his role on the 1975 Red Sox, Tiant compiled a 229-172 record over his career. His career record is similar to Catfish Hunter's. The difference is that Catfish won 20 games five years in a row and had a better peak. The problem with Tiant is that he only appeared in three All-Star games and never came close to the Cy Young award. Over the span of Tiant's career (1964-82), he ranks 31st in ERA and 10th in wins. There were many better pitchers in that era.
Joe Torre: Torre's a tough player to categorize. He played the most games at catcher, but only 40% of them. He split time at first and third base as well. He won a gold glove behind the plate, but was considered a poor defensive catcher. Torre played for nine All-Star teams and his 129 OPS+ would be excellent if you classified him as a catcher. Torre's a similar player in value to Gene Tenace, except that Torre played over 500 more games and won an MVP award. I'd vote for Torre. He's borderline, but he managed four championship clubs.
Cecil Travis: I wrote a piece on Cecil Travis a couple weeks ago. I don't remember if I published it, but the essential point is that Travis was a budding superstar whose career was cut short after he suffered frostbite fighting in the 2nd World War. Travis might have enjoyed a Hall of Fame career. When he left for war, he had a .331 career batting average. I'm not certain though. I don't feel comfortable voting for him, given that dozens of players were great early in their careers but lost Hall of Fame careers due to attrition.
Mickey Vernon: I don't see it. Unimpressive career totals, even accounting for a tough hitters' environment in Washington. Vernon won two batting titles and led the league in doubles three times, but he was not a dominant offensive force. He was the Mark Grace of his era.
Maury Wills: Lou Brock got the record, but Maury Wills revolutionized stealing bases in the 1960s. Wills stole 104 bases in 117 tries in 1962. Wills was an average hitter (for a shortstop) and a decent glove man. I don't think it's enough to get him into the Hall however. Wills wasn't any better than Jim Fregosi, a great player in his 20s but a non candidate. Wills was also considered a negative in regards to character.
Rundown: Santo and Torre alongside Joe Gordon and Jim Kaat from earlier rundowns. Four candidates from a group of 27.
