Cheech Tremendous

You show up once a week at best in the baseball threads to tell us how much Manuel sucks or how the Phillies don't have it and you're going to deride me for my contributions? That's funny.

I still maintain the folder sucks. I didn't realize they'd come down and crap this one up too.

And I can still remember when their season was over because they started 3-10.

Whoosh.

He should try to put the ball in play more. Those strikeouts are killing the Phillies and hurting him as a player.

There was a hilarious argument last night on BBTN with Ravech and I believe Dusty Baker. After they cut away from the Yankees/Rays feed, complete with Brian Kay (?) deeming this season a story of perseverance and courage, Ravech wondered aloud, with a $200 million budget, whether it should rather be labeled a season of underachieving. Baker then retorted "You can't call it a underachieving season. Their pitchers, early on in the season, were pitching terribly." What I would pay to have a camera on Ravech's face after that. Ravech just sighed and moved on to the next segment after that exchange. That's hilarious. I heard something similar on some ESPN show a few weeks back. One of their analysts was saying that this year might be Joe Torre's finest work as a manager because he took a team that no one thought could compete (really...?) and kept them in the race all year. According to this dolt, the Yankees were in a clear rebuilding mode this year and weren't expected them to make a run at the playoffs. It was too much for me to handle. I had to turn the channel.

I think there have been missteps along the way, but he's a strong owner overall. He invests heavily into the on-field product and has hired competent people in the front office. With the exception of the Jailblazer years, Portland has been a model franchise during his time as owner. They had two finals appearances, numerous sellouts, the longest playoff streak in history and got a new stadium constructed. The Seahawks have been consistently good for the past 5 years or so and he got the city to build them a premier stadium. The Hawks were nothing before he arrived and were on the verge of being moved to LA.

Paul Allen owns both teams. I'm not sure what your question was.

I'm in better shape than that. Hit the gym, Kyle.

I know that it has become something of a cliche to bag on Stephen A. Smith, but his radio show is beyond horrible. It's not even because of what he says, it's how he does it. It's so loud and confrontational. I can't sit here at work and have it on. It's far too distracting. I just don't know what ESPN was thinking with this move.

I admittedly know next to nothing about women's soccer, but Hope Solo throwing her teammates and coach under the bus was one of the most surreal things I've ever seen. If someone in one of the big three sports was to do this, ESPN would have to have one of those town hall meetings to discuss it.

What's the deal with the Yankees having an insane celebration when their $200 million team barely squeaked into the wild card? Yeah, making the playoffs is an accomplishment, but the whole thing seems misguided. I wouldn't call this season a story of success.

It was just really fucking annoying, especially as a fan of all wrestling and not just WWE. I just remember the disappointment I had when Barry F'n Windham showed up on television and they called him "The Widowmaker" and acted like he was some rookie. I wonder how much money they blew by avoiding things like Hogan v. Rhodes. You would think they could've drawn a decent amount and gotten Hogan over to a more legendary degree by having him squash former NWA champs.

That was the one I was waiting for. Even as a 7 year old, I was totally perplexed as to why they were pretending that he was a new person. It's been touched on before, but the younger fans today have no idea how bad the WWF used to treat workers that they stole from other companies. Guys like Barry Windham, Harley Race, Terry Funk, JYD and Dusty Rhodes were some of the biggest stars on the US wrestling scene and their history was totally ignored as they were booted to the fed's crowded mid-card.

Who was pregnant? From the looks of it, Joba Chamberlain.

It's deja vu all over again. Remember this?

Ok, so I have to ask. What is the most useless? -More multi-running innings start with homeruns than walks -Bonds has the lowest RBI per HR

Jericho and Carlito look alike (?)

Wow, who is who? Good thing Marvin has HD or he might never be able to tell them apart.

How do we feel about Tom Benson? Nothing like trying to move your team while the city is suffering from one of the worst natural disasters in American history.

I was on the fence with Al Davis. He's done some horrible things, but he's always shown a commitment to putting a winner on the field. I think there have been enough positives that he is disqualified from the worst list. In my opinion, the worst list is made for the guys who won't spend money on the team, are confrontational with local fans and show little regard for putting a winner on the field.

He was suspended from 1990 to 1993 for paying someone to try to find dirt on Dave Winfield. I sure as hell wouldn't want to work for the guy, but a fan couldn't ask for a better owner. He spends money on the team, fields a winner, hires competent front office people and shows respect for the team's history. What more could you want?

So we've easily identified the worst owners in sports. Who are the best? I'll nominate the following: George Steinbrenner John Henry Jerry Jones Paul Allen Robert Kraft

If anyone cares, Mike Vick tested positive for marijuana. Maybe he doesn't want to play in 2010 either.

He's in the mix. Given the BBWAA propensity for rewarding HR and RBI, he'll end up winning. On my ballot, I have David Wright, Chipper Jones, Chase Utley, Hanley Ramirez and Matt Holliday rated above him, but not by much. There is no clear cut choice. Prince is a slugging 1B, which is valuable, but totally one-dimensional. Other than the HRs, he doesn't offer much. The other candidates have better defensive value, on-base skills or baserunning than Prince. What about Jimmy Rollins? Utley's injury hurt his chances. I think Rollins has eclipsed him as "Phillies player in the MVP race". Nothing wrong with Jimmy Rollins. Utley's got him beat by a significant margin in OBP, and has a decent lead in BA and SLG. He also has the edge in VORP despite missing 30 games and playing lower on the defensive spectrum. That sort of gives him the edge in my mind.