Your daily NFL trivia game, Saturday edition
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Think you can figure out what NFL player we’re talking ab...
OKC's Sam Presti is an overrated draft savant
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Sam Presti is the only NBA executive ever to draft three future MVPs and he
did it in three consecutive drafts. It’s a maniacal stroke of luck and an
exe...
Red Sox at Royals Series Preview
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A look ahead to three games in Kansas City.
SB Nation Blog
Royals Review
The Opponent in one sentence
The Royals are firmly in the middle of another r...
Why Flag Football Is Great For Kids
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Flag Football You don’t need to look any kind of additionally than flag
football if you’re looking for an enjoyable sport to play with youngsters.
Flag foo...
Boston, New York rivalry driving prices up
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New York and Boston are the fiercest of rivalry cities. From Bucky Dent to
the Bloody Sock, each city has tasted its fair share share of victory and
def...
Her section of this story can be read here. The last paragraph of her cryptic writing:
And now before my fingers stiffen in the cold I must answer the questions sent to me by the mad. Only the mad understand the mad, but not all the mad have my gift to hear their inner voices. We are all somewhat gifted. Some of us have visions, hear voices, but I can only listen to the inner voice, the one that never says aloud what it most fears.
Now, my addition to the Splotchy Virus:
So for once in my miserable life, let me repeat aloud what the 'inner voice' says to me: You can not escape, no matter how hard you try, no matter how far you roam...you can not escape the sound of others inner voices. You will be eating lunch in a fancy restaurant when suddenly your head is filled with someone else's terrified thoughts. Your dining partner looks at you confused as you start muttering to yourself. You are repeating the passages that are filling your head, crowding out the conversation you were just having with your friend over a delicious and very expensive lunch.
You make a hasty retreat to the restroom, sweating profusely at your brow, your hair wet as if you had just walked in a gentle rain. The tiled walls of the room make the voice echo in your head. You stumble into a stall, trying to concentrate on something, anything but the terrified voice inside your head.
You have been sitting in the stall for what seems like only minutes but actually over half an hour. Your lunch companion is banging on the stall door, pleading with you to come out and tell her what is wrong.
You emerge and tell her you have a massive migraine and need to go home. You apologize for screwing up the lunch date and promise to make it up to her. You kiss her forehead and brush your fingers softly against her cheek as you again whisper to her that you are sorry.
You rush from the restroom and fly past your table, grabbing your bag and coat as you hurry out the door. You stumble as you twist and turn, trying to figure out which way to go to get away from the voice. You jog down the street in heels, the dirty snow splashing up on strangers walking a normal pace down the street. You don't notice their looks as you race by, your impervious to their complaining...you just want to get as far away from the voice as possible.
Soon, the voice in your head starts to get fainter and fainter...as the city blocks click off one by one. Your lungs begin to feel as if they will explode so you slow down to a hurried walk. You notice the crowds on the sidewalk have thinned and you stop to get your bearings.
The neighborhood is old and rundown. You have no idea where you are. You turn and look back, trying to figure out where to go next, when an old man suddenly steps from a dark portal and looks you straight in the eyes. He touches your hand and says: "I have been waiting for you m'dear, and it's very cold on this dreary day isn't it?".
Ok....I tag only one person to continue this exercise, since I am unfamiliar with it and do not know too many folks that play along with this type of endeavor....the famed DivaJood.
After my morning "Hippie Speedball" and slopping of the hogs (otherwise known as feeding the felines), I sit down at the computer and begin to read my news emails. They go into their very own little file on my email program Thunderbird.
I get roughly 150 of them a day. I shit you not. It's a sickness I do readily admit that. Do not chastise me for it ok?
I start to scan the headlines of specific news agencies first and then it happens. My mind starts to go off on it's own tangent. A phrase, a graphic, sometimes...just a word will set it all in motion.
Its my job damn it, to blog the bullshit and I must make my appointed rounds of the news media outlets. Many times that is the only reason I have to get out of the sack in the morning. It really pisses me the hell off that my mind won't focus on the task at hand. So I fight it.
I end up losing more times than not. But this morning, my first morning waking up in my own bed after a week of sleeping in other people's beds like Goldi-fucking-locks...I just went with it. I leaned back in my leather chair with the special lumbar support and sighed...allowing my mind to go where it wanted.
It wanted to think about change..of scenery. My mind wanted to think about that long cross-country trip I want to make. Alone. Yes, alone..I want to be able to go where and when I feel like it as I see America and Blogger's I have come to know and love. This isn't an unusual feeling or emotion for me....taking off for parts unknown.
I usually spend no more than five years in any one state. As an adult I have lived all over these here United States of America. I drug my son from CA to VA and back again. Then we moved to GA where he cleaned out my bank account and stole my car in the dead of night..in the middle of a violent rainstorm..but I digress.
I was traveling again, in my mind. I was seeing the different people and places I long to go. The Grand Canyon, Arches National Park, the Louisiana Bayou, the canyons of New York City, the spanish moss of GA.
Then I heard my ball and chain padding down the hall, his glasses perched on his nose and the newspaper firmly in his right hand. He was heading to the crapper to take up residence for as long as I allowed him to...before I banged on the door and asked him if he signed a lease on that room.
He stopped for a split second, looked up and said; "I am glad your home baby."
I said; "Me too sweetcheeks."
And I meant it. I adore the ball and chain. He has kept me stationary longer than any man or job or circumstance ever has in my entire adult life. The man should be sainted because he is my rudder because I am a miserable bitch to live with when I get itchy feet every six months or so.
So I stood up and demanded he come here immediately, kissed his bald spot and whispered "I love you" in his ear.
And he got that beautiful smile on his face that just melts my tension away.
And the sumbitch is still in the damn bathroom as I type this, 20 minutes later. ;p
20 former Yanks showed up for tonights final game...only the Yanks could have that type of historical context.
They opened the stadium seven hours early, so fans could walk the field.
Roger Clemens was never mentioned.
They even dug up Julia Ruth Stevens, the daughter of the Babe, to toss out the last ceremonial pitch. She is 92.
In its final season, the Yankees set a record for attendance, 4,298,543. The Yanks will never break that record as the new stadium is smaller than the House that Ruth built.
I am part of the affiliate program..which means I get two bucks for every album purchased by clicking the linky to the right>>>>>>>>
There is no shipping charge either..and its a live album of one of the best blues players alive now..below is one of my favorites which is also on the album..Burning Hell.
Also..I purchased a treadmill today, interest free for a year..need to drop all the weight I have gained since I blew out my back two years ago. I GOT TO!!! Sadly the ball and chain doesn't share my enthusiasm for this purchase. Its a waste of money he says and I won't use it more than two months..
Its on Yahoo..I refuse to play anything on fucking Fox sports ever again. Those fucktards couldn't run a decent site if their smarmy asses depended on it. So, the particulars:
League ID#:
91855
League Name:
Pigskin Prognosticators
Password:
nfl
Draft Type:
Live Draft
Draft Time:
Sat Aug 23 6:30pm PDT
The important stuff is the League ID and the password if you care to join. Come on, you know you want to..
It was hard to watch him sink to third after a great week. Broke my heart..
To be fair, Harrington has a stellar round. From Golf.com:
But when he had to make a birdie, Harrington made two, and an eagle, going four-under on his last six holes to shoot 69 and win the 137th British Open by four strokes over Ian Poulter (69).
"This year is more satisfying," said Harrington, who becomes the second player in the last four years and the 16th player overall to successfully defend his title. "You know, to go out there and shoot 69 in that last round, I don't think — if you had offered it to me last night I certainly would have taken it. It's the first time that I was in the last group of a major tournament on Sunday. So it's a different pressure, it's a different stress, and I'm delighted I managed it."
Norman, in the end, was bested by a better, younger player. sigh...
The more he protests the worse it gets for Roger Clemens. First Clemens pulled the big 60 Minutes interview out of his ass and then filed a defamation lawsuit against Brian McNamee.
Then Andy Pettite came clean that yes he indeed use performance-enhancing drugs, which validated half of what McNamee had claimed. Why would McNamee lie about one guy and not the other? Its a logical conclusion to say he didn't. When Andy also testified that he had spoken to Clemens about both of their use of performance-enhancing drugs that also solidified McNamee's claims.
Then Roger said he had no knowledge of McNamee's dealing in HGH. It was then discovered that McNamee had indeed shot up Rogers wife with the stuff. Roger claimed he forgot about that..Then there was the party at Jose Canseco's house that Clemens swore he never attended..that is until some pictures were produced from that fateful evening of..yes, Roger Clemens in attendance.
Now, Kurt Radomski has produced a little physical evidence. A receipt for a shipment of HGH that was sent directly to Clemen's house. From the ESPN writeup:
Convicted steroid distributor Kirk Radomski told ESPN.com that while he was moving a broken television off a dresser in the bedroom of his Long Island home last Sunday night, he found a shipping receipt for human growth hormone that he claims to have sent to Clemens' Houston home in 2002 or 2003. Radomski said he found that receipt, along with "seven or eight others" for shipments to other baseball players, under the TV.
"My TV broke and I said, 'Damn, I got to get it off the dresser,'" Radomski said Wednesday. "And it was right there."
Radomski said he turned the evidence over to federal authorities on Monday.
This surely can't help ole Roger..and frankly I could give a shit about the guy. He and Barroid Bonds can perhaps share a cell in federal prison? It could happen ya know... ;)
(scoreboard for another memorable Rockie night..this time with the Padres) What the hell was that shit in Coors the other night? I know Coors is slugger friendly but my Gawd that was nasty. Nine runs down and its still not over..damn. According to Sportsline:
The last time two teams combined for this many runs was May 19, 1999, also at Coors Field, when the Cincinnati Reds roughed up the Rockies 24-12.
It wasn't a fun night for defense, thats for sure. In other news..the Padres helped the damn Dodgers last night..beating the D-backs handily. Peavy is going today..come on darlin..I got you in my lineup. Last time Peavy was up against Brandon Webb..Brandon came out with the win. In our lousy division someone needs to get to freaking 500..come on!
Boston-Yank$ game getting ready to start..Go BoSox!!!
I am extremely disillusioned and downright embarrassed about the state of the NL West this season. To put it in a single phrase:
The entire division sucks pond scum.
Even the AZ D-backs, who currently lead this sucky-ass division are barely above .500. This is horrible, simply fucking horrible. I can barely bring myself to watch any of the Padres or Dbacks games nightly. The Padres are in last-friggin-place btw. Plus, I am fairing the same in fantasy baseball..bringing up the ass-end of the league in which I am the commissioner.
The All-Star break is fast approaching and I for one welcome it this year. Another thing is the lack of good teams in most of the NL. Going through the motions as a baseball fan are not at the top of my 'must do' list lately..sigh.
Joe will be appearing at our local college outdoor amphitheater tonight. His opening act I have never heard of..but I am there only for Bonamassa. So listen to some Smokin' Joe today ok?
Carlin was incredible and he spanned decades. The landmark Supreme Court case, the 1978 F.C.C. v. Pacifica Foundation, in which a narrow 5-4 decision by the justices affirmed the government's right to regulate Carlin's act on the public airwaves is legendary and set precedence.Wiki has a writeup about the seven words here.
The words are (with examples):
1. Shit - The bird shit on the statue.
2. Piss - I have to piss like a race horse.
3. Fuck - Fuck you.
4. Cunt - She has a nasty cunt.
5. Cocksucker - Go to hell, you cocksucker.
6. Motherfucker - You are a motherfucker.
7. Tits - Hey, nice tits.
He was to be honored Nov 10th with the Mark Twain award for American Humor. It will be posthumously accepted now I presume. And I am brokenhearted. I saw George through three different decades of my life and up until the end when I saw him in Vegas two years ago, he was on his game, satire at its best and grumpy as hell. From MSNBC:
Comedian George Carlin, a counter-culture hero famed for his routines about drugs and dirty words, died of heart failure at a Los Angeles-area hospital Sunday, a spokesman said. He was was 71.
Carlin, who had a history of heart problems, died at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica about 6 p.m. PT after being admitted earlier in the afternoon for chest pains, spokesman Jeff Abraham told Reuters.
ESPN has a nice piece up about this great piece of cinema here. From the link, a little nostalgia:
Bull Durham was the creation of a man who'd been cast aside by the game he loved. Ok, he walked away, but in the early '70's, Ron Shelton was a 26-year-old minor leaguer whose chances at the show were dwindling. So he quit. Fifteen years after his love affair with baseball ended, he made Bull Durham in 1988 for a paltry $9 million, going to great lengths to cast actors who could actually play. The movie was a hit, and baseball player-turned-filmmaker was in Hollywood's door. Twenty years later, Bull Durham is still widely considered among the top sports movies ever made, and is BRAVO's choice for best comedy ever.
A-friggin-men..I love this damn movie. It was all downhill after this for Costner btw.
Seems he just couldn't stay away..and today drag racing finally got the best of 46 year old Scott Kalitta. He won two consecutive Top Fuel Champs, but he really loved those damn funny cars.
He retired twice but after sitting out a season or two came running back to the sport.
Hitting the wall at the end of the track in flames, doing 300mph..what a way to go out. Damn..
Kalitta is survived by his father, legendary NHRA racer and team owner Connie Kalitta whom I saw race; wife, Kathy; and sons Corey, 14, and Colin, 8.
And man..does that bode well for him. I wonder if he will entertain an offer from the Angels..afterall, they couldn't see clear to giving him an additional $2.5 million. I was quite shocked when K-Rod lost his arbi case..if anyone deserved a raise it was that man.
Sportsline has an interesting article up about Francisco and what is likely to happen when he is free of the chains of Angels baseball.
Fact: The Angels are 32-2 in games in which K-Rod has pitched this season.
Watched a good US Open..there will be an 18 round playoff tomorrow between Woods and Rocco Mediate. Starts bright and early 9am..and in my hometown of San Diego at Torrey Pines no less!
O fuck me..Padres lost. Just when they get my hopes up...they dash em on the rocks of reality.
Now..the NBA finals are starting..hopefully the Celtics can close it out and go home the winners. But Phil Jackson is a master and I do not discount him or his team evah!
The extreme rightwing biblethumpers won't like this story from Reuters:
An Italian couple who were caught having sex in a church confessional box while morning Mass was being said have repented and made peace with the local bishop. The couple, in their early 30s, were detained by police earlier this month after they had made love in the confessional box in the cathedral in northern Cesena. They were cautioned for obscene acts in public and disturbing a religious function. Their lawyer said they had been drinking all night and realized they had gone too far.
Ah, whats a little hot monkey love in a confessional?
In other news, Phil Jackson had the nads last night to say the Lakers aren't done yet..right Philly..stick a fork in em dude..they surely are.
I am not a fan of Kobe 'the crybaby' Bryant. The Laker's can kiss my hairy ass, they just don't do it for me and haven't for decades.
But Boston..now that's a different story. I saw my first professional basketball game in Beantown at the old and smelly Garden. No AC in the old Garden which I am sure added to the smell factor. Some facts about the Old Garden:
The Boston Garden was built in 1928. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third incarnation of New York's Madison Square Garden, the arena was originally called the "Boston Madison Square Garden", but eventually got clipped to the Boston Garden. Located on top of North Station, a train station, which is a hub for MBTA Commuter Rail and Amtrak trains, the Garden hosted home games for the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics, as well as rock concerts, amateur sports, boxing and wrestling cards, circuses and ice shows. It was also used as an exposition hall for political rallies such as the famous speech by John F. Kennedy in November, 1960. The Boston Garden was demolished in 1998, a few years after the completion of its new successor arena, the FleetCenter, now called TD Banknorth Garden.
Below is a painting circa the 1800's: Here is Da Garden in all its former glory:
Now, its on to the Staples Center..kick some more ass Celts..please.
A sweet blogger bud of mine, Robert, created the following song and video for the radio gents known as Bob and Tom 14 years ago. It was on one of their albums too! Robert is a resident of Indiana and its quite apropos for today. From his post on this song:
Way back in 1985 I wrote a parody of David Lee Roth’s version of “Just a Gigolo” for the Bob and Tom Show. It was about getting stuck in the heavy traffic on the way to the Indianapolis 500. The song appeared on Bob and Tom’s first charity project, “Bob and Tom’s White Album“. From that point forward, the song became a staple in the Indianapolis region during the month of May. I still recall driving to the race one morning and hearing the song on the radio while I looked around at other drivers singing along with my song. A great memory for me.
Current standings: 5th NL WEST(WHICH MEANS THEY ARE IN LAST PLACE) Record: 15-27
How do you handle it? Do you ignore the fact that a bunch of elderly men with walkers could beat them?
When friends bring up how lousy they are, do you just sling a nasty retort their way or beat the living shit out of them?
When they are on, do you sit and silently watch them suck or do you get drunk and scream obscenities at the tv?
These are burning issues for me. My team can't find their collective ass with both hands. Its killing me. I might need to start medicating myself before and after each game.
Surely Barroid didn't think they were going to forget about him? From a yahoo writeup:
Federal prosecutors have unveiled a revamped indictment against Barry Bonds, but the career home run leader's lawyers say nothing has changed.
"Barry Bonds is innocent," the player's lead attorney, Allen Ruby, said after his client was once again charged with lying to a grand jury and hampering the federal government's doping investigation.
Bonds originally was indicted in November by a federal grand jury on four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice.
On Tuesday, a grand jury handed up a superseding indictment charging him with 14 counts of making false declarations to a grand jury in 2003 and one count of obstruction of justice. No new lies were alleged.
The feds, being morons themselves, fucked up the original filing. Figures..
HOUSTON (Reuters) - Authorities in Texas have filed corpse-abuse charges against two men who allegedly removed a skull from a grave and used it as a bong.
The Harris County District Attorney's Office confirmed on Thursday that misdemeanor abuse of corpse charges have been filed in the case.
One of the men allegedly told police they dug up a grave in an abandoned cemetery in the woods, removed a head from a body and smoked marijuana using the skull as a bong.
Police found the cemetery and a grave that had been disturbed but are still investigating the rest of the story, officials said.
You can buy a friggin skull bong online...just saying..
He was also bounced from the team after it was revealed that Jamar Hornsby, a 21-year-old junior safety, has a warrant for his arrest on charges he used the gas credit card of a woman who was killed along with another Florida player in a motorcycle accident. Jamar used her credit card for six months, so he surrendered on charges of credit card theft and fraudulent use of a credit card, lawyer Huntley Johnson said.
It was not immediately clear how Hornsby got the card. Johnson declined to comment on the specifics of the case, but said they would cooperate with authorities.
Fuck me running...this guy got highly peeved at having his picture taken whilst yelling at a homeless guy (click for LARGER). Since the link to the original post is bad, let me reprint it's sugary goodness:
This guy was on the corner of Stockton and Columbus in San Francisco yelling at a homeless man. Anger, conflict, drama — sounds like a great shot to me. I crossed the street but was unable to get anything interesting, since I only had my 50mm lens on the camera and I was just too far away.
However, Mr. Angry Overreaction Man decided that he now had a problem with me. He confronted me, demanding my camera. Of course, I refused. He got in my face and started threatening me, telling me that I cannot take his photo without his permission. I told him that yes, in fact, I can. He then walked up and bumped into me, trying to act tough. I told him that one more touch and I would call the police.
Of course, he didn't like that very much, and at that point told me that if I put his picture on the internet, he would call his laywer. I assured him that his photo would be on the internet, and he then walked up and grabbed my camera lens. Well, that's just not something that I will put up with, so I pulled the camera away from him and reached for my phone and started dialing. Once he saw that he turned away, still yelling threats, and continued on his way.
I felt bad for his daughter, who was with him, because she was obviously embarrassed by his antics and kept pleading with him to stop. I have a great shot showing her looking up as if saying "Oh boy, here he goes again". But I'm not going to post that one, as she was not acting like an idiot and I don't want to embarrass her. Mr. Angry Overreaction Man seems to do enough of that.
So, Mr. Angry Overreaction Man, your photo is now on the internet. Call your lawyer. Tell him somebody on a public sidewalk took your photo while you were on a public sidewalk. Then tell him you physically assaulted the photographer. See what he says.
I was more than willing to oblige SteveO's request to send it around the internets. ;)
The man who couldn't cut it as a pitcher is freaking turning in some awesome plays as an OF'r. Rick Ankiel was given a second chance to play 'the game' and he has really turned some great plays..and that arm..jesus..its a gun..from center field no less!
Clip from a lifelong Cards fan, and reader of my tripe, Bruce. ;)
Charlie is a coyote. His parents were killed (coyotes are hated by farmers and ranchers) and his siblings didn't survive. He came into her life at the age of 10 days. Shreve blogs about life and Charlie at The Daily Coyote. Below is one of her short videos, and she has plenty of wonderful photos of Wyoming and their life up at her blog linked above.
Dependant of course on if your team is the sucker team..Sadly MLB.com fucks with YouTube and pulls a lot of the good videos using 'copyright infringement'..fuckers.
From the Padres: The Padres mourn the loss of the club's first President, Emil Joseph "Buzzie" Bavasi, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 93 in San Diego. Bavasi joined C. Arnholt Smith's effort to bring a National League franchise to San Diego in 1967 and, after securing a team, served as the Padres first president from the club's inception through 1977. He was inducted into the San Diego Padres Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Breitbard Hall of Fame at the San Diego Hall of Champions in 2007.
"Buzzie was a giant in Padres Baseball history," said President and Chief Operating Officer Dick Freeman. "His presence in the original Padres ownership and management group was the determining factor in San Diego being awarded a National League franchise. He was a great baseball man. I will always remember him for his unwavering support and his great sense of humor. He was a superb storyteller. I will miss him greatly."
As for Fox Fantasy Sports..you worthless sumbitches can kiss my hairy ass. Fuck you..twice even. What do you get when you let MicroSoft manage your website?? A clusterfuck of mythic proportion!
For an interesting MLB read, check out Jon Heyman's column. I don't agree with the order, but I do agree all these teams got hosed..Here are his top five:
1. Hampton, $121 million, Rockies (and Braves). The deals for him and Denny Neagle ($55 million, five years) set the Rockies back five years. On the other hand, the complicated trade to send him away and get the Rockies on the path to the World Series was a stroke of genius. The Braves, who got him from the Marlins in November 2002, two days after Colorado dumped him, are known for wise pitching decisions, but this has to be their worst.
2. Carl Pavano, $40 million, four (long) years, Yankees. Never really looked interested. Changed agents more times than he actually pitched.
3. Albert Belle, $65 million, five years, Orioles. Brought surly mood, diminished power and bad hip to Peter Angelos' brand of bad baseball.
4. Chan Ho Park, $65 million, five years, Rangers. Poor Tom Hicks. Or should I say, rich Tom Hicks. Park showed up without much zip on his pitches, then delivered almost zip for the money.
5. Jason Giambi, $120 million, seven years, Yankees. He apologized for who knows what but hasn't yet apologized for taking all this money, which is, of course, obscene. He's still got $26 million to go in this the final year alone, assuming the Yankees decline the option year for a measly $5 mil.
My personal favorite Kevin Brown is on the list too..Dodgers got hosed in that one..big time :)
Someone needs to tell Buddy Black to see Alex and buy a fucking clue.
Trevor Hoffman is done..stick a fork in him Black. We can not afford to let Hoffman keep blowing saves..we are UNDER five hundred as it is, you stupid sumbitch..
Randy Wolf..the perennial injury-prone strikeout king almost got a no-no last night..just gave up two hits for the Padres.
I have my courtdate with the Workers Compensation Board..D-day is May 6th 8:30am. We will find out if I can see the QME of my choice hopefully. The insurance company is attempting to use a technicality to disqualify him..they don't like that he usually advocates for the patient..moi.
I will be heading down to SoCal tomorrow..dogsitter that I am. Hopefully she has internet..I didn't figure to ask..dumbass me.
Have a good Thursday folks..the weekend is just over the horizon. :)
Those tightwads at MLB.com are offering..for some friggin reason, free access to the Dbacks-Giants game tonight on their site.
I pay for a subscription for the entire year. This isn't sour grapes..but why in the blue hell is Randy Johnson's comeback a big fucking deal? The man has spent more time on the DL in the last three years than the entire Dbacks team combined.
But I know it's a long-assed season..and for that I am thankful. As for the entire MLB:
Ch..ch..changes..to their collective bargaining agreement with regard to roids and other no-no's. From MLB's press release, the policy changes are as follows:
1. Increased Independence - the Independent Program Administrator ("IPA") is appointed for a multiyear term and can be removed only in very narrow circumstances.
2. Increased Transparency - the IPA will annually and publicly report key statistics related to the program and record retention requirements will be lengthened.
3. Testing - 600 additional tests will be conducted each year and the number of off-season tests will double on average.
4. Flexibility - the agreement institutionalizes an annual review process to allow the parties to respond to new developments.
5. Education - the IPA, in consultation with the parties, will develop an annual mandatory education program for players.
6. Amateur Draft - Baseball's testing program will be expanded to cover top prospects.
Is it good..of course..does it make any difference..hard to say..desperate men use desperate measures.
And about the other things in life..they suck at the moment. The Workers Compensation thing is driving me insane..literally and figuratively. WTF is it with these people..the xrays and MRI's don't fucking lie..its a screwed up back on lots of levels..I am tired of living on muscle relaxers, vitamin C and pain pills..to paraphrase a line from the Grateful Dead.
But we have baseball for moi and the ball and chain tonight..on the big screen. Dodgers and Padres again..with Peavy and the big guy Penny going for the Dodgers tonight and the weekend. We will try to watch it together..if either team starts stinking up the joint..we retire to opposite rooms so we can root or bitch in private.
BadRap.org has their usual Shot Fair in Northern Cali. I love these folks and will give them as much publicity as possible. They are our ambassadors for Pit Bulls..one of the most loving breeds on this planet. I do this as a tribute to my beloved Baby who left us two summers ago and is still missed on a daily basis.
Its the people that are bad, not the dogs folks..remember that.
The Lake Elsinore Storm, a Class-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, released a tongue-in-cheek statement announcing that the club has offered Bonds "a cushy Media Relations position (with slight pay cut from $19.3 million), full use of baseball facilities and of course expanded cubicle space with barcalounger and plasma TV."
Somehow, I don't see Mr. Steroid taking this job..does anyone else? ;)
I always thought John Daly had personal demons that didn't really tell us how good a human being he really is. I know what it's like to deal with a loved one that can not walk away from their addiction to alcohol.
But now..hell..Daly is a jerkwad..and a sad pathetic excuse for a human being. Not because he can't overcome his addiction to alcohol, or he likes women and their breasts..just that he is a jerk and a shell of his former self who refuses to deal with an addiction that can kill him and should end his career and ability to make money from that career. From a recent writeup about him on MSNBC:
Alas, John Daly has become Blutarsky, only without the dignity. What he has done with his career is the sports equivalent of stuffing his face with food and then slamming his cheeks with his hands to simulate the popping of a pimple.
Recently Butch Harmon, the esteemed swing guru who has worked with many of the game's greatest players — including Tiger Woods — washed his hands of Daly. Harmon told the Associated Press: "My whole goal for him was he's got to show me golf is the most important thing in his life. And the most important thing in his life is getting drunk."
If you read the entire article..people are ripping Butch Harmon for going public with his thoughts about Daly..I say..Good on ya Butch..let the world know that feeling sympathy for John Daly is just a worthless endeavor.
Daly has tried to break his addiction to alcohol more times than I can remember. But that said..how many chances does one get? Five..ten? He has the money and the resources to tackle this horrible demon. Another piece from the writeup:
Harmon is being ripped in some quarters because he had the audacity to say out loud what everybody has known for years now: Daly is out of control, and he likes it.
Harmon went off after Daly spent a rain delay at a recent tournament working on his swing inside the Hooters corporate tent at the 17th green. Apparently, everyone was swinging in there. When the rain stopped, Daly had Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden caddying for him, which I guess is preferable to Daly serving as a coach for Gruden. Daly finished that first round with a 77, then he shot himself out of the tournament with an 80 in the second round.
One day after Harmon's rant, Daly tossed more moonshine on the fire by missing his pro-am tee time at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and was disqualified from the tournament. That's Arnold Palmer, as in the most distinguished golfer walking the earth, whose namesake event a troubled entrant disgraces at his own peril.
I just can't stand up for Daly any longer. He isn't worth my time or my support frankly. I hope he eventually finds the will to conquer his demons..but I am not betting on it..nope. This part says it all, for me at least:
He gets into tournaments now via sponsor exemptions, because he no longer has his full PGA Tour card. Sponsors want him at their events because he not only is a disaster magnet, he also attracts fans who revel in his trailer park charm and sympathize with his working class woes. They seek out photos with him and get autographs from him so they can say they once touched someone who once touched greatness.
Farewell Mr. Daly..I am sure you will manage to find a way to play a sport you love..I just don't think your a human being I need to feel sorry for any longer. Perhaps if you actually hit the bottom and had to live under a fucking bridge..you MIGHT realize how much damage you do to yourself and those that care about you. The fact that people and sponsors enable you doesn't help you deal with your disease..and I doubt you ever will.
It takes me back to being a young girl and sitting with my Dad around the radio. Being fixated on that little box with the lousy reception many times.
But today, I sat outside in the warm SoCal sun and I listened to Internet Radio, courtesy of MLB.com. It's not free..nothing is with those bastards..but the quality was good and there were plenty of commercials to get up and get something to eat or drink.
I laid back in my chair and listened to the Rangers announcers talk about the 'up and comers' that were invited to participate, some of the names ringing a bell or two. Bakersfield has the single A farm team for the Rangers. The stadium is right down the street from where I live. They are called the Bakersfield Blaze. They suck pretty much but hey..its local baseball.
My Padres beat them..9-5. It was a good day for the old man Greg Maddux who got the win. I remember when Greg would come to Qualcomm as a Brave..he never could win in that stadium ;) It was a split-squad game, so plenty of the Padres A ball players got to show what they had today too.
I don't mind listening to the games on the radio. But I do hope to see a couple of them via streaming video from the Peoria complex. It's a nice place, been there a few times when I lived in AZ years ago. All Spring Training facilities are small venues, but Peoria is considered the largest of all the Cactus League venues..which is great. Reminds me of seeing a good music set in a bar..upclose and personal ya know? The real cozy one is the Giants facility in Scottsdale. That is also the oldest I believe.
Personally, I think this bs move is all about control..and power. MLB has made shitty moves like this in the past. Like the one where they sued Yahoo and CBS Sportsline for offering real time stats online. They lost in court on that one.
Hope this one goes the same route. I hate control freaks. Seriously. From the Editor & Publisher linkage above:
Major League Baseball's new restrictions on the use of online photo images has drawn a protest letter from the Online News Association, a 1200-member group of Web journalists.
In the letter, sent Tuesday to Baseball Commissioner Allan H. "Bud" Selig, the nine-year-old group objected to the new restrictions that include limits on the number of game photos online and the duration of time video can be placed on a Web site.
The restrictions are being placed on all media credentials for the upcoming 2008 baseball season, which begins later this month.
"These terms interfere with our members' ability to do their jobs as journalists and cover news of public importance," ONA President Jonathan Dube says in the letter.
A hearty FUCK YOU BUDDY SELIG..and I say that with all sincerity you dick.
He retires as the N.F.L. career leader in passing yards (61,655), touchdown passes (442), completions (5,377) and attempts (8,758). His 160 victories as a starting quarterback are also a record.
Much of Favre's legacy rests on his durability. He played in his last 253 regular-season games, and 275 games including the postseason, records for quarterbacks.
Buh Bye Brett..plenty will eulogize you. I would rather you just leave..sorry.
With everything having a link to crass commercialism lately..it should not come as a surprise that the owner of the Cubs and their home is considering selling the naming rights to Wrigley Field.
Such blasphemy! Its a travesty!
Its greed really. The new owner will be selling the Cubbie's and their stadium..the only question is if they will be sold together. Billionaire Sam Zell has this to say about the debate currently taking place about the Cubs and the naming rights to Wrigley Field:
"Excuse me for being sarcastic. But the idea of a debate occurring over what I should do with my asset leaves me somewhat questioning the integrity of the debate,"
You can read the testimony here. (pdf) The same judge also told the federal prosecutors to redraft their error-laden indictment. Per ESPN:
Among other information contained in the unsealed 149-page court transcript is evidence of an additional positive steroids test beyond the previously reported one in November 2000, sources familiar with the government's evidence told ESPN's T.J. Quinn. The U.S. Attorney's office had previously disclosed that Bonds tested positive for testosterone, but information about other failed tests has not been previously disclosed. U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston ordered prosecutors to amend Bonds' indictment so that each of the five counts against him don't cite multiple statements that prosecutors say are false.
Prosecutors originally accused Bonds of lying 19 different times during his grand jury appearance, and charged him with four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice.
Illston agreed with Bonds' attorney Dennis Riordan that prosecutors must edit out many of the alleged lies or seek a new indictment, which could contain more charges.
I still don't understand why Bonds had the audacity to lie if there are in fact failed steroid tests..I mean come on..its a no-friggin-brainer!
So now, we all just grab a chair and some popcorn and watch the spectacle. Jeez, wotta load of bs. From the MSNBC writeup:
The probe could result in charges against Clemens of perjury, making false statements or obstruction of justice. Lawmakers did not ask for a similar investigation of McNamee. *snip*
IRS Special Agent Jeff Novitzky, a key member of the government's prosecution in the BALCO drug cases, attended the hearing and watched from the second row.
In real baseball news..ITS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!! ST has begun!
Wow-freaking-wee. He told the Dodgers to kiss off a few years back. They treated him shabbily as I recall..but I am in awe of Sandy Koufax.
I remember listening to Dodger games as a kid. Him and Don Drysdale were one helluva combination. A lot like RJ and Curt on the Dbacks World Series winning team. I lived in AZ when they won that. Best WS I had ever seen. But I digress..
Probably neither of the two folks that read this blog are NASCAR fans..but I must publish this letter I sent off today in the hope that someone else will read it and send it to the idiots that run NASCAR. Yes I, a progressive female, love the hell out of NASCAR! You got a problem with that??
Dear Mike Helton and your Gestapo Minions,
I, Dusty ****, proudly and forcefully stand up for Robby Gordon and the #7 Jim Beam team's right to appeal the excessive and totally ridiculous 100-point penalty and suspension handed down by NASCAR following the Daytona 500.
I am a Tony Stewart fan but I can not sit by and watch this travesty of justice one minute longer.
I am sick and tired of the crap that passes for fairness in NASCAR. This action by you and your minions reeks of bat guano. What balls you have Helton, Pemberton and Darby, it isn't even a performance issue for the love of God! Just once in your worthless lives..let the penalty fit the crime!
Neither Robby nor his Crew Chief or team were deliberately attempting to circumvent NASCAR rules. The mistake was discovered by NASCAR officials during the very first inspection prior to qualifying which was more than a week before the Daytona 500.
What part of the above paragraph do you not understand? It's not rocket science gents!!
Robby's team changed out all 11+ noses on all of the new Dodge cars and the three built specifically for Daytona overnight. The approved nose was on his car in time for qualifying.
Top teams and drivers have been stricken with similar fines for intentional reasons, but Robby's team earned an honest 8th place finish in the Daytona 500 through tireless dedication, quality, and character - not because of rule violations.
Your decision unfairly penalizes Robby, his sponsors and ALL NASCAR fans. It's pathetic to say the least..its unconscionable to say the most.
If your ruling stands I, as a 20+ year fan of NASCAR, will seriously consider giving up the sport I love. I can no longer tolerate your bs and bravado that is meted out unfairly and without one ounce of common sense.
Robby is a man of true character and talent. As the only driver/owner to finish in the top ten this past weekend, he shows his dedication to the sport.
I request..no, I demand you show your dedication to the sport by dropping this crap now. It needs to end here gents..or your going to lose even more fans than you already have with your asinine rules changes and penalties that are arbitrary to say the least. You might be making new fans..but they are only replacing the old fans like myself and others that are sick and tired of all the crap you mete out on a weekly basis.
Each of you need to rent a pair of balls and rescind your penalty now!
Sincerely, Dusty **** B**********, CA
You too can send this letter to Helton and the gang..send it to:
Ah yes..it surely should shut the piehole of Clemens and his attorneys now wouldn't you say?
But I ain't holding my breath..like Marion Drew-Jones..he could lie for years before confessing the truth..but..to avoid a Barroid Bonds type of problem.. he might want to rethink that position.
Manny Ramirez who now wants to stay in Boston after years of bitching that he wants out..has switched agents. He has signed with..drumroll please..
Scott Boras. Boras, as most fans of baseball know..is the devil incarnate. From a May 07 writeup on Scotty:
Major League Baseball is a $6 billion-a-year industry, more profitable than ever. To Boras and his clients, that makes it a game of percentages on and off the field. As baseball revenues grow, so do salaries, thanks in large part to him. He was the first agent to sign players to multiyear $50 million, $100 million and $200 million contracts, as league revenues rose to $1 billion, $3 billion and $6 billion, respectively. Last year, he negotiated the largest contract ever for a Japanese player, Daisuke Matsuzaka, who signed with the Boston Red Sox for $52 million — after the Sox paid $51 million for the rights to sign him — and the largest ever for a pitcher, Barry Zito, who went with the San Francisco Giants for $126 million.
The Zito contract is a bust at this point..unless he does something this year..the Giants got hosed on that deal. His era last year was a whopping 4.53..up from 3.67 the year before with the A's. He also lost more games(11-13) than he won. I call it a bust because of the stats I just quoted..I could however be wrong..its been known to happen. I just hate how guys sign huge contracts and then promptly suck hind tit the following year..
Damn, if he doesn't deserve a friggin raise..who does? He will be eligible for Free Agency next year. He lost, but he won..ya know? From the writeup:
Even though he lost.."Rodriguez tied the record for the highest salary in an arbitration decision, a mark he shares with Alfonso Soriano, who lost his case against Washington in 2006, and Ryan Howard, who beat Philadelphia on Thursday".
Krod is the shit. I draft him within the first five rounds in every league. His era last year? Please..a magnificient 2.81 people!
He is still getting 10 large out of the deal. Last year it was a little over 7 large.
Bret Boone came out of retirement to sign a non-guaranteed, minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on Monday, joining his younger brother, infielder Aaron, and their father, assistant general manager Bob, with the club.
Bret isn't a spring chicken either, by baseball standards..he's 39. Don't you just love this bit of nepotism?
He spent roughly an hour and a half apologizing to everyone and their mother. He refused to discuss Clemens and he doesn't think what he did was cheating..and the topper.. but he was desperate man!
Oh, and God will give him the strength to deal with all this. My question is why didn't God give him the strength to just say no to using HGH?
It drafts two days before the season starts..so if anyone pulls a hammy or tears their ACL, you should know about it. If you want to play..here are the particulars:
League ID 89091 password baseball
Draft is Live: Sat Mar 22 10:00am PDT
Only ten teams, and its Head-to-Head. It's on Yahoo, so you need a Yahoo ID (duh). Stats we use can be negotiable..but I have set up the basics I like. I also like more than one DL..since I pick some real winners usually ;p
Game for the bored among us: Flight of the Hamsters..ok, its not very nice..but its not real ok? Launch them suckers for points..I got a 78 ft in my first hamster flight..not bad eh? H/T to my blog bud in Palm Springs..the inimitable Friday Fishwrap!
