sfaJack

Winn's contract is bad, but Jack Wilson's is worse. 3yrs/$20 mil for a career line of .263/.304/.368? Double yikes. But I suppose that's one reason the Pirates are the Pirates.

We had a few fights, but the most memorable one was this one: My senior year, my then-girlfriend's little brother, Jeremy, got blindsided at lunch one day. He was just sitting on one of the outdoor tables eating his lunch when this guy named Matt came up behind him and shoved him down onto the concrete and just wailed away on him, even ramming him headfirst into a brick wall . Jeremy ended up with many cuts, scrapes, and other shit all over his face. He got a minor concussion from being slammed into the wall, too. Ended up in the emergency room and didn't come back to school until the next Monday (happened on a Wednesday). The reason for the attack? The Matt guy wanted to get kicked out of school for a few days and thought that beating the shit out of someone would be a good way to do it. He was right--he got a few days off. I don't think he was counting on being arrested though.

Don't bet on it. The Santana/Halladay matchup has nothing to do with the Yankees or the Red Sox so ESPN will deem it worthy of only a 25-second highlight package on Baseball Tonight. We probably won't even get some hardhitting, insightful Harold Reynolds analysis of it.

I think I'd retire from this job immediately and open up a no-kill animal sanctuary. Seriously.

"About a week ago, Mrs. kkk told me she didn’t want to do anything for Valentine’s Day, " Arg. I got into some shit Tuesday with the girlfriend because I didn't get her anything. This was, of course, after she told me restated on Sunday that V-Day is "no big deal" and "just another day." So I call her after I got home from the gym Tuesday evening to see what was up and could tell right away that something was wrong from the tone of her voice. I then made the mistake of asking what was wrong and she laid into me with her "I can't believe you didn't do anything" and "I was the ONLY ONE (being sure to say those two words loudly) at my office who didn't get something" and on and on. I countered by saying that she twice told me V-Day was no big deal, but that did no good. She seems to be over it now, but goddamn if that isn't some bullshit.

Based on that picture, any move your cousin might make with his king would result in checkmate. IIRC, the game is a stalemate when that happens because you're not allowed to move into a checkmate. "Suicide" of the king = illegal, in chess.

Good stuff, Bored. I feel old now when I see that I'm 4 or 5 years older than most rookies that break into the pro ranks and it suddenly doesn't feel weird calling them "kids".

Al is supposed to go to NBC with Madden.

Why did you get kicked out of school, Iggy? On topic, I'm liking the arcade. Fun time-waster. I don't care about cheating or high scores. I'm more concerned with beating my own best score.

Not as overrated as Namath.

I rule the Kingdom of Pacman. I feel this validates my existence on this Earth.

It's not wrong. I have a similar thing of only wanting a female to cut my hair.

Well goody for you on the tipping 20-25%. That's your choice. It's too much though. The only time it might not be is if you have a really large group (minimum 10 people) and have one waiter working your table (and only your table) for two hours. Case in point, my college graduation: we had a group of 23 for an hour and a half. We gave the dude an extra $30 in addition to whatever the standard gratuity charge was. Last I checked, that's pretty good change for carrying trays and refilling drinks. The guy earned it though. I know I've raised the question here before, but what in the hell does the price of a meal have to do with how much you're supposed to tip? The only people I ever see advocating this are the people that depend on tips for a living. Not coincidentally, they're also the same people who seem to be claiming 20% is the new standard for good service. Gee, I wonder why they'd say that. If you don't like what you get paid, find a better job.

Hell yeah! I agree. Buying (or, in my case, building) a house at 24 was a somewhat risky move for me, especially given that I'm not married or living in sin and thus only have my own money to take care of it with. I'd be lying if I said I didn't some serious reconsiderations all through the construction process, but the very moment I signed those papers at closing, it was such a great feeling. Now, all those things I had begun to hate about apartment life: slow-to-respond landlords, noisy neighbors, hard-to-find parking, and throwing money down a sinkhole are gone...and I couldn't be happier. My neighbors are all very nice people who look out for each other all the while staying out of each other's way. We have zero crime in the neighborhood and it's quiet. It's tremendous.

On the Rooney rule: why doesn't it apply to the Chiefs? Does it not apply because they basically traded for Edwards, or does it not apply because they hired a black guy? Why would they not have to interview a white coach?

It still amazes me that so many people thought the Cardinals were going to be so good. As for this weekend, I'm taking Denver and Seattle. I think the Steelers have a very good chance to win (and a better chance than Carolina), but I see the Broncos getting some sort of fluke play to swing the game late and survive. In the other game, the Panthers will because they'll be missing DeShaun Foster, forcing Jake Delhomme into a bad game.

wildpegasus

I think the Divisional round is my Manning-esque glass ceiling--two straight years I've gone out in it. Damn you niskie for actually submitting your picks.

Because there are some guys who refuse to vote anyone in the first time. And there's probably one writer that hates A-Rod and will never vote for him regardless of his numbers.

Anybody hear one writer (forget his name) on the Dan Patrick show today trying to defend his voting process? he says he doesn't vote for ten guys each year because "it's supposed to be an exclusive club." While I agree with that to a point, his logic was ridiculous. Gossage was on at the same time and every question Gossage asked the guy, he had no answer for. It was hilarious.

I encourage you to hold onto that crown.

Charley Casserly to local media today: Texans will be picking up David Carr's option in February and will not be taking a QB in the first round.

Don't forget the Cowboys literally giving the game away to them.

Wow. A beautiful 77 degree, sunshine-filled afternoon, a couple of steaks on the grill, and the Giants getting pounded. This day is kicking ass so far.

Maybe all the idiots that were saying the Tuna was going to retire will shut up now.