EVIL~! alkeiper

That's Paul Williams, the composer.

I always counted the division series winners as division champions. That's pretty standard in leagues that utilize the split season format every year, typically in A ball. If it helps, it gives Montreal another division title, and Oakland retains their's. Besides, if I had to explain how the Cardinals and Reds won division titles and neither made the playoffs, my head would explode.

That should have been stopped no later than the end of the eighth round. Great KO from Mosley.

Great performance by Mosley so far, though I doubt it's a shutout.

Simply not scheduling an opponent would be a good start. Or maybe they can take the other 12 students and form a JV squad.

2000 saw Lennox Lewis beat a fair trio of contenders. His first bout pitted Lewis against the previously undefeated Michael Grant. Lewis next took on Francois Botha and knocked him out in the second round. In November, he took on tough David Tua. Though Tua was a fine fighter, he was no match for Lewis's superior height, and Lewis took home a unanimous decision. In 2001, Lewis was challenged by Hasim Rahman, a decent boxer who nonetheless had lost his biggest fights. Lewis received a rematch later in the year. In 2002, a dream match came to fruition as Lennox Lewis took on Mike Tyson. That brings us to Lewis's most controversial fight, against Vitali Klitschko. Obviously Lewis deserved to win the fight. Klitschko probably could not have possibly have won the fight if it had continued with his eye in that bad of shape. Klitschko certainly deserved a rematch, but never got one as Lewis took that fight as his cue to retire. Ring Magazine at this time chose to ignore the alphabet rankings and issue their own championships. Journeyman Corrie Sanders had scored a shocking upset knockout of Wladimir Klitschko and based on that, his next bout versus Vitali was declared a World title bout. Sanders was not a legitimate option, but Vitali was as good a choice as any. Next up was Danny Williams, who had stunned Mike Tyson with a fourth round knockout. Klitschko then chose to retire due to injuries. Though he since returned, the heavyweight title now sits vacant. As long as Vitali and Wladimir are the number one and two heavyweights, it is unlikely we will see a new undisputed champion.

Yeah, the fact that digital is a weaker signal annoys me. I only get three channels over the air as it is.

The Queen is Dead is a great album. I don't know it track by track so I can't justify putting it on my own list, but it's great.

Let's see. Beach Boys - Pet Sounds Pulp - Different Class Pulp - His 'n' Hers The Beatles - Rubber Soul Belle & Sebastian - Tigermilk KMFDM - Angst Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine Nick Drake - Pink Moon Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit

Personally, I think if you are going to field uncompetitive teams in competition, you need to know to not sweat the score. The only good solutions are either not fielding a team, or better scheduling and grouping.

Watts is remembered mostly as a promoter, but he also had a fairly significant run in 1964-65, both teaming with Bruno Sammartino and feuding against him.

The Brewers have one division title, the other was a wild card berth. It's a shame that the Expos' run from 1979-81 has been forgotten. They won the division title in 1981, and lost the pennant races on the final weekend in both 1979 and '80. They had Gary Carter and Andre Dawson in their lineup, Steve Rogers as their ace. A couple breaks and they might (might) have been a dynasty.

I'd like to see less mega-threads in sports myself. I think the problem is that people are afraid to start new threads if they don't have a strong enough opening post. As mod, I think I could do more to start new topics. Something like "Titles or Talent" is a great prompt when there is a lack of good sports news.

Given the contracts the Mets have shelled out the last few years for Johan Santana, Carlos Beltran, etc., I don't think the Mets can be accused of being cheap. They need to spend on a pitcher. Their current LF option is far better than their fifth starter. Lyon's a good talent, but he could never stay healthy long enough for his career to gather any momentum. If he's the Tigers' closer, he is a fine option until he hits the DL. With that team, he'll fit right in.

One thing to remember. Howard doesn't have to prove he is worth $18 million. He has to prove he's worth $16,000,001.

Quick note Cheech. I'm not certain any projections on Howard are admissible in an arbitration case. He's getting evaluated purely on what he already produced. Jeff Kent HOF? I say yes. Any second baseman who hit that well and had as long a career is in. His teams made the playoffs seven times, so obviously his attitude and defense were not serious detriments to the team.

I wouldn't take the PR hit. Warts aside, Howard is a valuable piece of the Phillies' image. No long term deal though. Keep going to arbitration for three years if need be, and let him hit the market afterwards.

And to add, I think we're crossing signals a bit. You always want your team to win a championship. You just can't expect it to happen as your birthright.

Oh of course. You have every right to be disappointed. Where the problem comes in this scenario is where the fans call for the head of the coach or star player for that failure. It's unrealistic expectations.

Exactly. And remember that this approach for the Phillied DID win a championship. They didn't go all in, just kept a good team together and they got hot. Which makes the big championship push in MLB so ridiculous. It takes a truckload of money and guarantees absolutely nothing. Stay competitive and hope good things happen. And if not hey, the Yankees still broke an attendance record. How are the Marlins drawing?

If he's upset he's misguided. Howard only played 90 games in AAA, it was only a news story because Jim Thome looked like such a significant mountain at the time. Chase Utley spent 271 games in AAA. I never heard him whine about it. And god it's infuriating even today to look at those stat lines.

Agree with Cheech's point about loss =/= choke as well. It amazes me how people get upset over the lack or loss of a championship. It's a 30-32 team process, only one team can win. It is really difficult, and there is an equally talented team on the other side trying just as hard. I don't think championships mean much anymore given that we're in the realm of 3-4 round playoffs. Particularly in MLB, where many of the traits that won the regular season (i.e. depth) do not mean as much. And heck, if you put an All-Star game together of champions vs. non-champions, it probably isn't clear who is better. It's better to have a contender rather than shoot for a title and then stink. I follow my team on a day-to-day basis. My season isn't geared up just for a few nights in October, it's my life. Winning a championship really isn't everything. The joy is in the hunt.

$18 million?! Seriously? Let's take a look at Cot's. First basemen The highest-paid active first basemen, by average annual value: There is one first baseman in baseball making more than $18 million. The Phillies countered with $14 million, making the break-even salary $16 Mil. Justin Morneau has about the same service time and finished second in the AL MVP voting. I got burned last year, but I really can't see the Phillies losing this case. And all this for a first baseman who didn't finish in the top ten in OPS.