Tuesday, October 31, 2006
R.I.P. John F. Kerry
This JFK is a complete IDIOT. I've heard hime attempt to tell jokes and his delivery of "Stuck in Iraq" doesn't sound at all like his joke-telling delivery, honed over the course of his 60-year (estimated) life. I'm not satisfied with our current President, but every time a reporter puts a microphone in front of Kerry, he gives me another reason to be satisfied with the 2004 Presidential Election result. Listening to JFK explain the losers, dummies, and disadvantaged that serve in our military, I have no idea how our military was able to win WWI or WWII. The way that JFK sees things, our military is the equivalent of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, MLB's Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and the NBA's/Isiah Thomas' New York Knicks. But our country TRULY VALUES patriotism, something that clearly escapes JFK. MY QUESTION: How does he not grasp the concept of patriotism after serving in the Armed Forces and then holding office in our national government for the past 20+ years? "Reporting for Duty" at the 2004 DNC Convention, YEAH RIGHT! He ought to retreat to one of his mansions NOW and spend a lot of time fishing, windsurfing, skiing, golfing, SUV touring, etc. What are the Jerry Lewis Telethon info-babes at MSNBC going to do with this one? Especially since JFK won't apologize! They had better find some cheerleading outfits complete w/ pom-pom's if they aren't going to report this event with zeal. Stick a fork in you JFK, you are done. Will Massachusetts have the dignity to run a different candidate for Senate in 2008 when JFK's term is up? Too bad it's a rhetorical question.
Monday, October 30, 2006
The Dark Season is Here
The end of Daylight Savings means that the sun goes down to early. I'll be ready to spring ahead in a couple of weeks!
World Series - The Tigers finally played their age and experience level. They didn't need the DH, they needed a DF... their pitchers set a record with 5 errors in 5 games, 1 in each! National TV ratings were down, I'm not surprised since neither DET or STL is a huge TV market, and the Tigers certainly haven't been maintaining their fan base over the past 15 years. Add in the 8:30 first pitch times, Joe Buck (I've never liked), Tim McCarver (I like him but I know that most don't), 2:30 between innings and pitching changes, and it's no surprise that ratings are down. Next year the WS starts on a TUE, I'm figuring that there will be a 3-day shift to the right to include a travel day in between games 4 and 5 in the first round. The other 2 days, I guess 1 before the start of the playoffs and 1 between the LCS and the WS. I've heard that TBS will have an LCS and FOX will have one similar to the NBA arrangement w/ ESPN and TNT; hopefully that will be an improvement.
NFL Sunday Ticket should be comp'ed for any fan that goes to 1 Raider OR 49er game in person. The 49ers fell behind to CHI 41-0 in first half before making the final score a respectable 41-10! The Niners must have been blinded by those orange jerseys. The Raiders were sacked more often than they completed a pass (6 to 5). They finished with 14 yards passing, 98 yards of total offense. Their offense earned more first downs (5) by penalty than by actually gaining yardage (4). Most importantly, their defense had 1 less catch (4) than the offense (5) and OUTGAINED that offense on one play! Two INT returns for TDs (100, 24) were enough to beat the Steelers 20-13. I listened to the DEN-IND game on the radio to remember what a quality NFL game sounds like.
Good Games This Week:
NCAA: #3 West Virginia at #5 Louisville 7:30 ET Thursday on ESPN HD
NFL: Indianapolis (7-0) at New England (6-1) 8:00 ET Sunday on NBC HD
World Series - The Tigers finally played their age and experience level. They didn't need the DH, they needed a DF... their pitchers set a record with 5 errors in 5 games, 1 in each! National TV ratings were down, I'm not surprised since neither DET or STL is a huge TV market, and the Tigers certainly haven't been maintaining their fan base over the past 15 years. Add in the 8:30 first pitch times, Joe Buck (I've never liked), Tim McCarver (I like him but I know that most don't), 2:30 between innings and pitching changes, and it's no surprise that ratings are down. Next year the WS starts on a TUE, I'm figuring that there will be a 3-day shift to the right to include a travel day in between games 4 and 5 in the first round. The other 2 days, I guess 1 before the start of the playoffs and 1 between the LCS and the WS. I've heard that TBS will have an LCS and FOX will have one similar to the NBA arrangement w/ ESPN and TNT; hopefully that will be an improvement.
NFL Sunday Ticket should be comp'ed for any fan that goes to 1 Raider OR 49er game in person. The 49ers fell behind to CHI 41-0 in first half before making the final score a respectable 41-10! The Niners must have been blinded by those orange jerseys. The Raiders were sacked more often than they completed a pass (6 to 5). They finished with 14 yards passing, 98 yards of total offense. Their offense earned more first downs (5) by penalty than by actually gaining yardage (4). Most importantly, their defense had 1 less catch (4) than the offense (5) and OUTGAINED that offense on one play! Two INT returns for TDs (100, 24) were enough to beat the Steelers 20-13. I listened to the DEN-IND game on the radio to remember what a quality NFL game sounds like.
Good Games This Week:
NCAA: #3 West Virginia at #5 Louisville 7:30 ET Thursday on ESPN HD
NFL: Indianapolis (7-0) at New England (6-1) 8:00 ET Sunday on NBC HD
Monday, October 23, 2006
Kenny Rogers Pine Tar Roasters
What bothers me the most about this escapade is how soft we've become. It was ok, since he washed the stuff off his hand after the first inning. The Cardinals didn't complain... why? They didn't want to offend the other team's fans? These are the fans that burn their cities, incite riots w/ NBA players, etc. Manager Tony LaRussa should have bolted from the dugout moments after FOX slow-mo'd the close-ups on Rogers' hand. It was apparent in SD that he had something on his pitching hand. I know that it was football weather and not baseball weather, but then document the rules properly for substances allowed on pitcher's hands when the game time temp is less than 40F in swirling rain, sleet, and snow at night. Until then, no hitter should dig in lest one of those pitchers not be able to grip his pitch through the windup to the release point.
West Coast College Football Rant
HD Football availability on the West Coast for ESPN on ABC.
Is essentially 0. While the rest of the nation was able to watch Texas v. Nebraska in HD last Saturday, the West Coast was stuck w/ San Jose St v. Nevada in SD. Is there any means of allowing/enabling/encouraging the West Coast affiliates to air HD Sports feeds on their HD Channels, for both broadcast and cable/satellite providers? I checked the cartoons that were on at 9:30 am PT; those weren't in HD, so it's not as if any alternative programming would be diminished by airing HD sports in its place. That's just one example. Most of the regional 8ET/5PT games have the west coast game in SD and the rest of the nation able to see HD. (Check the map at http://espn-att.starwave.com/espntv/topics/coveragemaps/map102106_12.jpg) The HD games should be simulcast in HD on the west coast affiliates when the regional game won't be broadcast in HD. An HD set, tuner, and subscription is an expensive investment, and the inability to watch HD programming because a viewer lives west of the Rocky Mountains is ridiculous. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Is essentially 0. While the rest of the nation was able to watch Texas v. Nebraska in HD last Saturday, the West Coast was stuck w/ San Jose St v. Nevada in SD. Is there any means of allowing/enabling/encouraging the West Coast affiliates to air HD Sports feeds on their HD Channels, for both broadcast and cable/satellite providers? I checked the cartoons that were on at 9:30 am PT; those weren't in HD, so it's not as if any alternative programming would be diminished by airing HD sports in its place. That's just one example. Most of the regional 8ET/5PT games have the west coast game in SD and the rest of the nation able to see HD. (Check the map at http://espn-att.starwave.com/espntv/topics/coveragemaps/map102106_12.jpg) The HD games should be simulcast in HD on the west coast affiliates when the regional game won't be broadcast in HD. An HD set, tuner, and subscription is an expensive investment, and the inability to watch HD programming because a viewer lives west of the Rocky Mountains is ridiculous. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Kenny Rogers Roasters
Detroit is turning to the 41-year old who hasn't allowed a run in his 2 postseason starts to even the World Series at 1. The game tonight figures to have some interesting plays in it because of the wintery conditions (snow flurries, rain, sleet?, temps in the low 30's). I think the Tigers will win, I don't see their bats being stymied by the Cardinals rotation over the duration of the series. I'll miss Scott Spezio's Cardinal Red Goatee after the series ends.
Oakland - The A's pennance for not taking the tarps off the upper deck of McAffee Colesium was losing in 4 straight. It's too bad that Raider owner Al Davis didn't force his team to win a game before ok'ing sodding over the infield dirt.
New York - The Corey Lidle tragedy took the attention away from 3B Alex Rodriguez. The Mets got to Game 7 of the LCS despite losing SPs Pedro Martinez and Orlando Hernandez right before the playoffs and LF Cliff Floyd during them. Unfortunatley, PH-1B Julio Franco was starting to look his age (48) at the plate in the playoffs.
NCAA - What was Miami HC Larry Coker watching during the fight between his team and FIU? He needs to check the tape to see what really happened? Did he need binoculars to see a helmet being used as part of aroundhouse right to an opposing player? Does he rememeber broadcaster Keith Jackson's comments during an on-field fracas between Miami and Colorado 10-15 years ago "If this is what college football is about now-adays, I'm not sure that I want to be associated with it". The Hurricanes barely beat Duke this weekend, and if the Orange Bowl would be 75% empty for a couple of games that would be nice (it was half-empty for the FIU game).
NBA - Stephen Jackson of the Pacers fired his handgun after leaving a men's entertainment club in the wee hours of the morning. This guy doesn't seem to have had success improving his judgment skills since charging into the stands behind Ron Artest at the Palace a couple of years ago.
NFL - 8:30 ESPN MNF Dallas (-3) 27 NY Giants 20. The home team generally wins this series, TO is happy (at least for a week), and the Giants have a bad tendency this season to fall far behind early in the game.
Oakland - The A's pennance for not taking the tarps off the upper deck of McAffee Colesium was losing in 4 straight. It's too bad that Raider owner Al Davis didn't force his team to win a game before ok'ing sodding over the infield dirt.
New York - The Corey Lidle tragedy took the attention away from 3B Alex Rodriguez. The Mets got to Game 7 of the LCS despite losing SPs Pedro Martinez and Orlando Hernandez right before the playoffs and LF Cliff Floyd during them. Unfortunatley, PH-1B Julio Franco was starting to look his age (48) at the plate in the playoffs.
NCAA - What was Miami HC Larry Coker watching during the fight between his team and FIU? He needs to check the tape to see what really happened? Did he need binoculars to see a helmet being used as part of aroundhouse right to an opposing player? Does he rememeber broadcaster Keith Jackson's comments during an on-field fracas between Miami and Colorado 10-15 years ago "If this is what college football is about now-adays, I'm not sure that I want to be associated with it". The Hurricanes barely beat Duke this weekend, and if the Orange Bowl would be 75% empty for a couple of games that would be nice (it was half-empty for the FIU game).
NBA - Stephen Jackson of the Pacers fired his handgun after leaving a men's entertainment club in the wee hours of the morning. This guy doesn't seem to have had success improving his judgment skills since charging into the stands behind Ron Artest at the Palace a couple of years ago.
NFL - 8:30 ESPN MNF Dallas (-3) 27 NY Giants 20. The home team generally wins this series, TO is happy (at least for a week), and the Giants have a bad tendency this season to fall far behind early in the game.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Division Series Observations
The Yankees face an elimination game against the Tigers and have shaken up their lineup a bit. Highest-paid free agent from the 2001 off-season, 1B/DH Jason Giambi ($119M/7 yrs) is on the bench. Highest-paid free agent from the 2000 off-season, 3B Alex Rodriguez ($250M/10 yrs) is hitting 8th. A-Rod hasn't hit 8th since his first full season in the major leagues. I wonder if George had Torre ask Sheffield if he wanted to try 3B again (his position when Julio Franco was only in his 30s).
The A's broke their ALDS jinx, the tarps over the upper-deck in McAffee Colesium must have been the key. They don't plan on taking the tarps off for the ALCS either. I don't understand it from a financial standpoint, the lower 2 levels sold out right away for the ALDS.
The Padres finally took a lead today, they even retired 1B Albert Pujols in a couple of dangerous situations to keep their lead through the 8th.
Auburn lost to Arkansas this afternoon when the Tigers couldn't prevent big plays, add them to the list of teams that need help to reach the BCS title game.
TO returns to the field in Philadelphia tomorrow with Dallas. The fans who booed Santa Claus will provide plenty of entertainment for the viewers and temptation for TO, how will he respond?
The A's broke their ALDS jinx, the tarps over the upper-deck in McAffee Colesium must have been the key. They don't plan on taking the tarps off for the ALCS either. I don't understand it from a financial standpoint, the lower 2 levels sold out right away for the ALDS.
The Padres finally took a lead today, they even retired 1B Albert Pujols in a couple of dangerous situations to keep their lead through the 8th.
Auburn lost to Arkansas this afternoon when the Tigers couldn't prevent big plays, add them to the list of teams that need help to reach the BCS title game.
TO returns to the field in Philadelphia tomorrow with Dallas. The fans who booed Santa Claus will provide plenty of entertainment for the viewers and temptation for TO, how will he respond?
Monday, October 02, 2006
October Baseball
The first postseason since 1991 that won't include the Atlanta Braves begins tomorrow. The last time that happened, I was in college, Ross Perot wasn't a household name, Julio Franco was an everyday player winning a batting title, ESPN2 didn't exist, let alone ESPNEWS, ESPNU, or ESPN360! SP John Smoltz was the only player on all 14 division winning teams, and his long-time Braves teammates Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine wil face one another when the Mets and Dodgers play Game 2 of their division series. Television note of interest: the Yankees-Tigers series will be at 8 ET for all 5 games, why wouldn't FOX try to get the top 2 media markets (NYM vs. LAD) into the prime-time slot instead of all Yankees all the time. I mean, Tim McCarver is aware that other baseball teams exist. He's not former Yanke broadcaster Phil Rizzuto who talked more about Italian dinners than baseball during 1980's casts. It's too bad that the Tigers limped to the finish line one heartbeat faster than the Cardinals and will likely only play 3 games in October.
NY Mets over LA Dodgers in 5 - I can't remember teh last meaningful games that the Mets played... can they?
SD Padres over StL Cardinals in 4 - If the Cardinals and Tigers played a game right now, would either team win?
NY Yankees over Det Tigers in 3 - See above.
Minnesota over Oakland in 5 - The Twins are a solid team and can score runs more ways than Oakland can.
NFL - Titans DT Albert Haynesworth should have been suspended for the rest of the season for Leattnering an opposing player with his cleats in the head. The bandage on the Cowboys player was the size of a PGA putting green!
Patriots - not dead yet. They Cowboy'ed up and took out the Bengals to stay ahead of the rest of the lackluster AFC East. Maroney ripped off some good runs, Brady had his mind in the game, and the defense silenced the powerful Bengal offense.
TO - was quiet off the field and all posts pertaining to him will be of that varitey. He brought it upon himself, he's now a circus attraction with a sideshow for 3 hours on a Sunday afternoon.
NY Mets over LA Dodgers in 5 - I can't remember teh last meaningful games that the Mets played... can they?
SD Padres over StL Cardinals in 4 - If the Cardinals and Tigers played a game right now, would either team win?
NY Yankees over Det Tigers in 3 - See above.
Minnesota over Oakland in 5 - The Twins are a solid team and can score runs more ways than Oakland can.
NFL - Titans DT Albert Haynesworth should have been suspended for the rest of the season for Leattnering an opposing player with his cleats in the head. The bandage on the Cowboys player was the size of a PGA putting green!
Patriots - not dead yet. They Cowboy'ed up and took out the Bengals to stay ahead of the rest of the lackluster AFC East. Maroney ripped off some good runs, Brady had his mind in the game, and the defense silenced the powerful Bengal offense.
TO - was quiet off the field and all posts pertaining to him will be of that varitey. He brought it upon himself, he's now a circus attraction with a sideshow for 3 hours on a Sunday afternoon.
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