Bored

Here's a breakdown of who was selected by the players and then the five players that were selected by the managers just so no one thinks Terry Francona picked Varitek himself.

Yes, Jason Varitek was actually voted by the players as the back up catcher. Just a hunch Francona added Navarro to the team so Varitek won't have to play.

A.L. Pitchers Scott Kazmir George Sherrill Roy Halladay Mariano Rivera Jonathan Papelbon Justin Duchscherer Joe Nathan Joakim Soria Cliff Lee Francisco Rodriguez Ervin Santana Joe Saunders A.L. Reserves J.D. Drew Jason Varitek Joe Crede Carlos Quentin Grady Sizemore Carlos Guillen Justin Morneau Milton Bradley Ian Kinsler Michael Young Dioner Navarro

N.L. Pitchers Aaron Cook Tim Lincecum Dan Haren Ben Sheets Carlos Zambrano Brandon Webb Ryan Dempster Brian Wilson Edinson Volquez Kerry Wood Brad Lidge Billy Wagner N.L. Reserves Brian McCann Aramis Ramirez Matt Holliday Dan Uggla Miguel Tejada Russell Martin Nate McLouth Albert Pujols Ryan Ludwick Adrian Gonzalez Cristian Guzman

Ryan Braun beats out Ken Griffey Jr. for the final outfield spot.

Actually there are limits to how many times each network can show a particular team. -FOX can select the same team 9 times. -TBS can select the same team 13 times. -ESPN can select the same team 5 times on Sunday Night Baseball.

I figured as much, just giving you a hard time. Oh and I wouldn't quite believe the New York Post report as they include starting pitchers but they are determined by the manager and not by the player vote. It seems like they are just making an educated guess at the results.

Is there a punchline to this joke? Speaking of jokes, the Giants are now as close to first place as the Red Sox are and closer to first place than the A's.

B, no one should be forced to keep players that they don't want to keep.

I'm going to laugh my ass off if Varitek beats out Mauer in the popular vote for the starting catcher spot tomorrow.

Just here to announce that 5th installment of the second longest running football pick 'em contest in TSM history is coming soon! Look for the sign up thread in the Sports folder in the next week or so. So this entry isn't a complete waste I'm updating the all-time standings for the contest. Will anyone stop the juggernaut that is Cuban Linx this year? All-Time Standings (in order of wins) 1. teke184 38-18 2. CanadianChris 37-18 3. Edwin MacPhisto 36-19 4. iggymcfly 34-17 5. Cuban Linx 33-9 6t. Bored 31-23 6t. phoenixrising 31-24 8. Vern Gagne 30-23 9. AlwaysPissedOff 27-25 10. nogoodnick 26-29 11t. JHawk 25-26 11t. Cartman 25-27 11t. Spaceman Spiff 25-29 14. Will Scarlet 24-31 15. Fokai 22-25 16t. Lando Griffin 21-19 16t. Kingofthe909 21-21 16t. Gert T 21-29 16t. the pinjockey 21-31 20t. Spicy McHaggis 20-21 20t. Agent of Oblivion 20-33 22t. MarvinisaLunatic 19-12 22t. Secret Agent 19-18 24. Porter 18-20 25t. Vitamin X 17-19 25t. Kotzenjunge 17-21 27. UTBroward 15-11 28t. UZI Suicide 14-20 28t. Carnival 14-23 30t. Hawk 34 13-13 30t. Vampiro69 13-13 30t. Agent Bond34 13-14 30t. Angel Grace Blue 13-26 34t. kkktookmybabyaway 12-10 34t. Urban Warfare 12-11 36t. SilverPhoenix 11-10 36t. therealworldschampion 11-21 38t. Mecca 10-4 38t. Ortonsault 10-14 38t. Danville Wrestling 10-16 41t. A MikeSC 9-3 41t. AboveAverage484 9-4 43t. Damaramu 8-15 43t. HarleyQuinn 8-20 45t. MFerXtreme87 7-6 45t. Flyboy 7-7 45t. Leena 7-8 48. Smues 5-7 49t. Matt Young 4-2 49t. Dangerous A 4-7 49t. KingPK 4-7 49t. Nate 4-8 49t. 2GOLD 4-9 49t. Mad Dog 4-9 55t. Jimbo 1-1 55t. "Hail" bps21 1-2 57t. IK Cool Jew 0-3 57t. Rob E Dangerously 0-4

Rockies win it in the 9th, 18-17. Marlins blew a nine run lead. In case anyone was wondering the record for must total runs in a game is 49 in this game.

Another sign we're getting closer to the start of the season, the first week t.v. schedule is set. Thursday, August 28th Vanderbilt at Miami of Ohio, 7:30/4:30 PM, ESPNU N.C. State at South Carolina, 8:00/5:00 PM, ESPN Wake Forest at Baylor, 8:00/5:00 PM, FSN Oregon State at Stanford, 9:00/6:00 PM, ESPN2 Friday, August 29th Temple at Army, 7:00/4:00 PM, ESPN Classic SMU at Rice, 8:00/5:00 PM, ESPN Saturday, August 30th Virginia Tech vs. East Carolina, Noon/9:00 AM, ESPN Syracuse at Northwestern, Noon/9:00 AM, ESPN2 Bowling Green at Pittsburgh, Noon/9:00 AM, ESPNU USC at Virginia, 3:30/12:30 PM, ABC* Utah at Michigan, 3:30/12:30 PM, ABC* Oklahoma State vs. Washington State, 3:30/12:30 PM, FSN Towson at Navy, 3:30/12:30 PM, CBS-CS Delaware at Maryland, 3:45/12:45 PM, ESPNU Appalachian State at LSU, 5:00/2:00 PM, ESPN TCU at New Mexico, 6:00/3:00 PM, Versus Mississippi State at Louisiana Tech, 6:45/3:45 PM, ESPN2 Boston College vs. Kent State, 7:30/4:30 PM, ESPNU Alabama vs. Clemson, 8:00/5:00 PM, ABC* Michigan State at California, 8:00/5:00 PM, ABC* Illinois vs. Missouri, 8:30/5:30 PM, ESPN Washington at Oregon, 10:00/7:00 PM, FSN Sunday, August 31st Hampton vs. Jackson State, 2:00 PM/11:00 AM, ESPN2 Kentucky at Louisville, 3:30/12:30 PM, ESPN Colorado State vs. Colorado, 7:30/4:30 PM, FSN Monday, September 1st Fresno State at Rutgers, 4:00/1:00 PM, ESPN Tennessee at UCLA, 8:00/5:00 PM, ESPN

It's been over eight hours so I'm jumping in with my pick. Jimmy Johnson, Cornerback San Francisco 49ers 1961-1976 Hall of Fame - 1994 5-time Pro Bowl Selection 4-time 1st Team All-Pro 1970's All-Decade Team Sports Illustrated All-Century Team

So myself, Tzar, and Gert are the only three who haven't picked a quarterback yet. I really was going to see if I could hold out and be the last one but I'm giving up on this game of quarterback chicken mainly because my gut tells me Gert is going to take this guy in one of his next two picks if I don't. Maybe I'm wrong but I'm drafting a quarterback who I gave serious consideration to picking back in the 3rd round so I think I'm getting great value here in the 12th. Some of you might not understand this pick. Some of you might even laugh at this pick. But today I draft the most underrated quarterback in NFL history and a man who should have been in the Hall of Fame years ago. And that man is.... KELLY STOUFFER!!! Okay here's the real pick: Ken Anderson, Quarterback Cincinnati Bengals 1971-1986 4-time Pro Bowl Selection 4-time All-Pro 1981 NFL MVP 4 times led NFL in QB Rating Holds NFL Record for Single Season Complete Pct. (70.6% in 1982)

Ugh, I was at least hoping he'd leave the division. Oh well, Baron will never be able to do wrong in my eyes after the Dallas series and I've learned not to get attached to pro athletes anymore.

Wow, two entries in one week? I'm gonna need an extended vacation after exhausting myself like this. Next Sunday the All-Star Game reserves will be selected for this year's extra special, Yankee Stadium Circle Jerk All-Star Game presented by FOX. And hey it counts or something. I originally intended on picking my own All-Star team using all that stat geek crap I typically use but that was going to take longer than I wanted so instead I decided to make predictions for All-Star reserves primarily relying on those Joe Morgan friendly stats (AVG, HR, RBI, Wins, ERA, Saves). Player balloting will be going on this week for picking the reserves so doubt too much of what happens this week will effect the results. Here are the current vote leaders in the fan balloting as of this past week: American League C: Joe Mauer, Twins 1B: Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox 2B: Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox 3B: Alex Rodriguez, Yankees SS: Derek Jeter, Yankees OF: Manny Ramirez, Red Sox; Josh Hamilton, Rangers; Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners Only race in doubt is at catcher as Mauer tries to hold off Jason Varitek (really, Red Sox fans?). National League C: Geovany Soto, Cubs 1B: Lance Berkman, Astros 2B: Chase Utley, Phillies 3B: Chipper Jones, Braves SS: Hanley Ramirez, Marlins OF: Alfonso Soriano, Cubs; Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs; Ken Griffey Jr., Reds The one race that appears to be coming down to the wire is at shortstop as Ramirez and Miguel Tejada are locked in a tight battle. Outside chance Ryan Braun will slip into the final outfield spot. Now on to my predictions. My A.L. Reserves Predictions C: A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox 1B: Justin Morneau, Twins 2B: Ian Kinsler, Rangers; Brian Roberts, Orioles 3B: Mike Lowell, Red Sox SS: Michael Young, Rangers OF: Magglio Ordonez, Tigers; Carlos Quentin, White Sox; Vladimir Guerrero, Angels; Jermaine Dye, White Sox DH: Hideki Matsui, Yankees SP: Cliff Lee, Indians; Joe Saunders, Angels; Mike Mussina, Yankees; Vicente Padilla, Rangers; Justin Duchscherer, Athletics; Scott Kazmir, Rays; Roy Halladay, Blue Jays RP: Francisco Rodriguez, Angels; Mariano Rivera Yankees; Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox; Joe Nathan, Twins; Joakim Soria, Royals My N.L. Reserves Predictions C: Brian McCann, Braves; Russell Martin, Dodgers 1B: Albert Pujols, Cardinals; Adrian Gonzalez, Padres 2B: Dan Uggla, Marlins 3B: David Wright Mets; Aramis Ramirez, Cubs SS: Jose Reyes, Mets OF: Ryan Braun, Brewers; Pat Burrell, Phillies; Carlos Lee, Astros; Xavier Nady, Pirates SP: Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks; Edinson Volquez, Reds; Ben Sheets, Brewers; Aaron Cook, Rockies; Ryan Dempster, Cubs; Tim Lincecum, Giants; Carlos Zambrano, Cubs; Kyle Lohse, Cardinals RP: Brad Lidge, Phillies; Billy Wagner, Mets; Kerry Wood, Cubs; Jon Rauch, Nationals

On Wednesday the A's will officially sign "the top Dominican Republic pitching prospect of the last decade" Michael Inoa to a $4.25 million signing bonus, the largest ever for an international, non-Cuban amateur player. The A's some how managed to outbid the Yankees for his services. He's 6-foot-7 and has a fastball in the mid-90s...and he's only 16 years old. And people complain about high school basketball players trying to make millions?

A's are getting embarrassed by the Assholes by the Bay today, who are now some how going to be only five games out of first place in the pathetic N.L. West.

Mike Munchak, Guard Houston Oilers 1982-1993 Hall of Fame - 2001 9-time Pro Bowl selection 2-time 1st Team All-Pro 1980's NFL All-Decade Team

Elvin Bethea, Defensive End Houston Oilers 1968-1983 Hall of Fame - 2003 8-time Pro Bowler 105 Career Sacks

Yes, nogoodnick needs to make two picks and also I thought Agent said he had PM'd someone to make his picks for him while he was gone.

Not sure if anyone cares but I think we've had threads for the tournament/World Series before. The field is 64 teams that is divided into 16 regionals. The format for the Regionals is double elimination and the winners of the Regionals advance to the Super Regionals, which are best-of-three. The eight winners of the Super Regionals advance to Omaha for the College World Series. Two-time defending champion Oregon State failed to make the field. Top Eight Overall Seeds 1. Miami 2. North Carolina 3. Arizona State 4. Florida State 5. Cal State Fullerton 6. Rice 7. LSU 8. Georgia As for watching any of the regionals, only coverage is on ESPNU (which I don't have) who will show the Coral Gables and Fullerton regions. Tournament starts on Friday. Coral Gables Regional 1. Miami 2. Missouri 3. Mississippi 4. Bethune-Cookman Ann Arbor Regional 1. Arizona 2. Michigan 3. Kentucky 4. Eastern Michigan Athens Regional 1. Georgia 2. Georgia Tech 3. Louisville 4. Lipscomb Raleigh Regional 1. N.C. State 2. South Carolina 3. Charlotte 4. James Madison Tallahassee Regional 1. Florida State 2. Florida 3. Tulane 4. Bucknell Stillwater Regional 1. Oklahoma State 2. Wichita State 3. TCU 4. Western Kentucky Fullerton Regional 1. Cal State Fullerton 2. UCLA 3. Virginia 4. Rider Stanford Regional 1. Stanford 2. Pepperdine 3. Arkansas 4. UC Davis Cary Regional 1. North Carolina 2. UNC Wilmington 3. Elon 4. Mount St. Mary's Conway Regional 1. Coastal Carolina 2. East Carolina 3. Alabama 4. Columbia Baton Rouge Regional 1. LSU 2. Southern Miss 3. New Orleans 4. Texas Southern Lincoln Regional 1. Nebraska 2. UC Irvine 3. Oral Roberts 4. Eastern Illinois Tempe Regional 1. Arizona State 2. Vanderbilt 3. Oklahoma 4. Stony Brook Long Beach Regional 1. Long Beach State 2. San Diego 3. California 4. Fresno State Houston Regional 1. Rice 2. Texas 3. St. John's 4. Sam Houston State College Station Regional 1. Texas A&M 2. Dallas Baptist 3. Houston 4. Illinois Chicago

I'd be more into this if Mike Patrick wasn't announcing. BULLDOGS WIN! That being Fresno State.

There's been almost no All-Star discussion (and maybe with good reason?) but it's a couple of weeks away so might as well look at how the voting is going. A.L. All-Star Voting Update Locked Up 3B: Alex Rodriguez SS: Derek Jeter DH: David Ortiz OF: Manny Ramirez, Josh Hamilton Comfortable Leads 1B: Kevin Youkilis over Justin Morneau 2B: Dustin Pedroia over Ian Kinsler OF: Ichiro Suzuki over Vladimir Guerrero Tight Race C: Joe Mauer over Jason Varitek N.L. All-Star Voting Update Locked Up C: Geovany Soto 1B: Lance Berkman 2B: Chase Utley 3B: Chipper Jones OF: Alfonso Soriano Comfortable Leads OF: Kosuke Fukudome and Ken Griffey Jr. over Ryan Braun Tight Race SS: Hanley Ramirez over Miguel Tejada