The Dark LeBron Rises perhaps?
Friday, February 28, 2014
The Man In the Iron Mask
LeBron, with a sore nose, made a statement with his new face guard last night. Rather than going with clear he chose a different color.
The Dark LeBron Rises perhaps?
The Dark LeBron Rises perhaps?
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Kennys Vargas
My insiders are letting me know about an incredible secret deep within the confines of Twins camp in Florida this year.
Kennys Vargas.
Vargas, a natural right-hander that bats from either side of the plate, is launching MOON shots that would make Jim Thome proud, from BOTH of those sides.
A couple of those balls still have not come down and they are most likely in orbit (or simply disintegrated from the impact.)
In what seems like a dream come to life, this young man (he's just 23) is 6 foot five and weighs in at 275 pounds. He looks like he should be performing in the WWE.
But he's not in McMahon-land. He's putting on the greatest show down in Florida, and from all reports, he's a bigger attraction than Disneyland right now.
I haven't said much about spring training yet, but there are some things that do get me excited about the Twins.
He HAS served a 50 game suspension for using a banned substance, but it's not as bad as it seems. He was taking a weight-control drug that contained the substance in question. At this point, all parties think it was an honest mistake.
Vargas has future DH written all over him. He is slow, but he has tremendous bat speed. And power.
Boy, does the kid have power. And he is on the Twins 40 man roster protected list, most likely doing AA ball in the minors this season. He needs some seasoning and conditioning.
Kennys Vargas.
Vargas, a natural right-hander that bats from either side of the plate, is launching MOON shots that would make Jim Thome proud, from BOTH of those sides.
A couple of those balls still have not come down and they are most likely in orbit (or simply disintegrated from the impact.)
In what seems like a dream come to life, this young man (he's just 23) is 6 foot five and weighs in at 275 pounds. He looks like he should be performing in the WWE.
But he's not in McMahon-land. He's putting on the greatest show down in Florida, and from all reports, he's a bigger attraction than Disneyland right now.
I haven't said much about spring training yet, but there are some things that do get me excited about the Twins.
He HAS served a 50 game suspension for using a banned substance, but it's not as bad as it seems. He was taking a weight-control drug that contained the substance in question. At this point, all parties think it was an honest mistake.
Vargas has future DH written all over him. He is slow, but he has tremendous bat speed. And power.
Boy, does the kid have power. And he is on the Twins 40 man roster protected list, most likely doing AA ball in the minors this season. He needs some seasoning and conditioning.
Trout Signs For ... One MILLION Dollars
Angels of Anaheim and Lower Los Angeles and Greater California slugger Mike Trout has just been signed to a one year deal worth one million dollars.
Now that may not sound like much, but for a player with just two years of major league ball under his belt, it's an all-time record. I've talked about Trout before, but just to refresh your memory, in just two seasons he's hit .320 with 50 home runs and has over 200 runs scored. Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, and Albert Pujols are the only other players to do that.
His NEXT contract could/should exceed $30 million a year. He is baseball's greatest new superstar.
The sad thing? The Twins (GM Bill Smith) had the inside track on Trout back in 2009 but selected pitcher Kyle Gibson in front of him figuring Gibson had more long-term potential. It wasn't the only blunder in Smith's short tenure with the Twins.
sigh
What could have been.
Smith will always be known as the Twins' Dr. Evil.
Now that may not sound like much, but for a player with just two years of major league ball under his belt, it's an all-time record. I've talked about Trout before, but just to refresh your memory, in just two seasons he's hit .320 with 50 home runs and has over 200 runs scored. Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, and Albert Pujols are the only other players to do that.
His NEXT contract could/should exceed $30 million a year. He is baseball's greatest new superstar.
The sad thing? The Twins (GM Bill Smith) had the inside track on Trout back in 2009 but selected pitcher Kyle Gibson in front of him figuring Gibson had more long-term potential. It wasn't the only blunder in Smith's short tenure with the Twins.
sigh
What could have been.
Smith will always be known as the Twins' Dr. Evil.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Wichita State
In a sport where parity is the always the word of the day, Wichita State did something no men's Division I basketball team has ever done before. Last night they went to 30-0 on the season.
And yet they are still ranked only number TWO in the country.
I get it, even in college basketball you're ranked partly on toughness of the schedule you play, but the Shockers ALWAYS have one of the best teams in the country. Hitting a milestone like 30-0 SHOULD give them a little leeway.
Not that it matters that much. They will be ranked as a region number one, and if they survive that region, they will still have to play a lot of teams who have very good records. With 400 teams in the tournament, and all of those games, it's hard NOT to have "upsets".
Most good college basketball teams can beat one another on any given day. But in a sport that seems to take pride in that level of mediocrity, it's a nice to see a team that defies the odds.
I give the Shockers credit for that.
And yet they are still ranked only number TWO in the country.
I get it, even in college basketball you're ranked partly on toughness of the schedule you play, but the Shockers ALWAYS have one of the best teams in the country. Hitting a milestone like 30-0 SHOULD give them a little leeway.
Not that it matters that much. They will be ranked as a region number one, and if they survive that region, they will still have to play a lot of teams who have very good records. With 400 teams in the tournament, and all of those games, it's hard NOT to have "upsets".
Most good college basketball teams can beat one another on any given day. But in a sport that seems to take pride in that level of mediocrity, it's a nice to see a team that defies the odds.
I give the Shockers credit for that.
Love is Great
That headline doesn't really need a qualifier, but in the case of the Wolves, it means something totally different.
Kevin Love just missed another triple double last night as he had nine assists to go along with his normal dominance in scoring and rebounds (33/13). And the Wolves, down by 8 with 7 1/2 minutes to play, came back and won the game against a very good Suns team IN Phoenix. The final was 110-101.
The subs are obviously picking it up with Martin and Pekovic still missing from the line-up with injuries. Last night it was Shabazz Muhammad with his first 20-point game.
I'm getting more interested with each Wolves win.
And at this stage of the season, that's saying something.
Kevin Love just missed another triple double last night as he had nine assists to go along with his normal dominance in scoring and rebounds (33/13). And the Wolves, down by 8 with 7 1/2 minutes to play, came back and won the game against a very good Suns team IN Phoenix. The final was 110-101.
The subs are obviously picking it up with Martin and Pekovic still missing from the line-up with injuries. Last night it was Shabazz Muhammad with his first 20-point game.
I'm getting more interested with each Wolves win.
And at this stage of the season, that's saying something.
Larry Allen is Da Man
One of the greatest feats of raw speed by a big man that you will ever see.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztHfr5uBIqk#aid=P-CuD8pw1zM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztHfr5uBIqk#aid=P-CuD8pw1zM
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
When Fanaticism Meets Sentimentalism
I follow the blog of a local sports writer who enjoys his Twins. With the demolition of the Metrodome now pretty much complete, he has in his possession seats 22 and 23 from row 22, section 227. The significance of those seats? They were the location of he and his wife's first date back in 1986.
He himself didn't remember the exact seat numbers of that event, but his wife had kept the ticket stubs, and she made the purchase of those seats her own personal project when she knew that they'd be available. They will now be in either their basement or patio when the project is complete.
Their love of baseball brought them together.
It's weird, my wife and I have a similar story. Though I honestly can't say I ever really dated my wife (we just sort of did things together as friends who loved the Twins and -- boom -- the next thing I knew we were married), we shared an event at the dome about that same time period.
It was banner night, and the two of us, along with another close friend, entered the competition with two of our banners. We won two of the top three places and we got to go on the Metrodome field to march around the ballpark, in front of all the fans, showing them our winning banners.
We were friends at the time and our friendship grew closer with each game we attended.
It's weird how a love of something as inane as baseball can bring two people together.
Looking back, I think of other things in life that at times are almost an addiction. I can only think of one other such thing for me.
At one time, I was addicted to the Hokey Pokey. But I turned myself around.
That's what it's all about.
He himself didn't remember the exact seat numbers of that event, but his wife had kept the ticket stubs, and she made the purchase of those seats her own personal project when she knew that they'd be available. They will now be in either their basement or patio when the project is complete.
Their love of baseball brought them together.
It's weird, my wife and I have a similar story. Though I honestly can't say I ever really dated my wife (we just sort of did things together as friends who loved the Twins and -- boom -- the next thing I knew we were married), we shared an event at the dome about that same time period.
It was banner night, and the two of us, along with another close friend, entered the competition with two of our banners. We won two of the top three places and we got to go on the Metrodome field to march around the ballpark, in front of all the fans, showing them our winning banners.
We were friends at the time and our friendship grew closer with each game we attended.
It's weird how a love of something as inane as baseball can bring two people together.
Looking back, I think of other things in life that at times are almost an addiction. I can only think of one other such thing for me.
At one time, I was addicted to the Hokey Pokey. But I turned myself around.
That's what it's all about.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Trivia 2
Q: In golf, where did the term 'Caddie' come from?
A. When Mary Queen of Scots went to France as a young girl, Louis, King of France, learned that she loved the Scots game 'golf.' So he had the first course outside of Scotland built for her enjoyment. To make sure she was properly chaperoned (and guarded) while she played, Louis hired cadets from a military school to accompany her. Mary liked this a lot and when returned to Scotland (not a very good idea in the long run), she took the practice with her. In French, the word cadet is pronounced 'ca-day' and the Scots changed it into 'caddie.
A. When Mary Queen of Scots went to France as a young girl, Louis, King of France, learned that she loved the Scots game 'golf.' So he had the first course outside of Scotland built for her enjoyment. To make sure she was properly chaperoned (and guarded) while she played, Louis hired cadets from a military school to accompany her. Mary liked this a lot and when returned to Scotland (not a very good idea in the long run), she took the practice with her. In French, the word cadet is pronounced 'ca-day' and the Scots changed it into 'caddie.
Trivia
Q: Why are zero scores in tennis called 'love'?
A: In France, where tennis became popular, a round zero on the scoreboard looked like an egg and was called 'l'oeuf,' which is French for 'egg.' When tennis was introduced in the US, Americans mispronounced it 'love.'
We still say goose eggs in the states with scoreboard zeros.
A: In France, where tennis became popular, a round zero on the scoreboard looked like an egg and was called 'l'oeuf,' which is French for 'egg.' When tennis was introduced in the US, Americans mispronounced it 'love.'
We still say goose eggs in the states with scoreboard zeros.
Kevin Love has 37 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists for 1st triple-double
The Wolves won last night against a bad Jazz team. (A side note- someone once said there's no such thing as bad Jazz. That person has never been to Utah.) Kevin Love continues to perform as one of the NBA's finest, producing his first career triple double.
What's even more amazing is that the Wolves are still missing Pecovic and Martin, AND that Love sat on the bench nearly the entire fourth quarter.
The sad part? The Wolves are still five games out of a play-off position. And Love, at this point, is just auditioning for his new team next season. With one of the lowest franchise costs in the league the Wolves could easily pay Love what he's worth the next few years. The problem is that he doesn't like playing for a losing team year after year. We lost Garnett for the same reason.
I can't say as I blame him, but even if he would like to go home and play for the Lakers next year, they aren't exactly setting the world on fire any more either. Ultimately how the Wolves perform the next few months will probably decide their future for the next several years. A good final push and a long play-off run may convince Love to stay put. A bad final run here will most certainly send Love off to greener pastures.
And another decade of mediocrity will await Wolves fans. There's a reason there aren't many hardcore Minnesota fans. Losing does not produce fanaticism. "We're number five, " has never been anyone 's proud war cry.
Sadly, in Mineesota, even fifth best in anything is starting to look like an unattainable goal.
What's even more amazing is that the Wolves are still missing Pecovic and Martin, AND that Love sat on the bench nearly the entire fourth quarter.
The sad part? The Wolves are still five games out of a play-off position. And Love, at this point, is just auditioning for his new team next season. With one of the lowest franchise costs in the league the Wolves could easily pay Love what he's worth the next few years. The problem is that he doesn't like playing for a losing team year after year. We lost Garnett for the same reason.
I can't say as I blame him, but even if he would like to go home and play for the Lakers next year, they aren't exactly setting the world on fire any more either. Ultimately how the Wolves perform the next few months will probably decide their future for the next several years. A good final push and a long play-off run may convince Love to stay put. A bad final run here will most certainly send Love off to greener pastures.
And another decade of mediocrity will await Wolves fans. There's a reason there aren't many hardcore Minnesota fans. Losing does not produce fanaticism. "We're number five, " has never been anyone 's proud war cry.
Sadly, in Mineesota, even fifth best in anything is starting to look like an unattainable goal.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
U.S. Shutout in Speed Skating
In a sport where they were expected to excel, they never once made the medal platform.
And the U.S. girls finished second in hockey a couple of days ago by giving up two late goals to Canada in regulation before losing it in OT.
And the best U.S. figure skater finished SEVENTH in the women's competition blaming the judges for not noticing how beautiful and flawless her routine was, ignoring that her routine lacked any real degree of difficulty.
The Winter Olympics is more and more proving itself a flawed concept for a country whose favorite sport is trying to kill each other. I'm talking football but let's face it MOST of our favorite sports involve trying to kill each other.
We're far too barbaric for the winter games. We like too much blood mixed with our performances. And major lacerations with skates just don't happen often enough to maintain our level of interest.
And the U.S. girls finished second in hockey a couple of days ago by giving up two late goals to Canada in regulation before losing it in OT.
And the best U.S. figure skater finished SEVENTH in the women's competition blaming the judges for not noticing how beautiful and flawless her routine was, ignoring that her routine lacked any real degree of difficulty.
The Winter Olympics is more and more proving itself a flawed concept for a country whose favorite sport is trying to kill each other. I'm talking football but let's face it MOST of our favorite sports involve trying to kill each other.
We're far too barbaric for the winter games. We like too much blood mixed with our performances. And major lacerations with skates just don't happen often enough to maintain our level of interest.
Friday, February 21, 2014
Still Better Than Willingham
http://uberhumor.com/my-dog-is-horrible-at-playing-catch
or
http://uberhumor.com/my-dog-is-horrible-at-playing-catch
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Wolves Roar After Break
The Pacers were 41-12 going into last night's game against the T-Wolves. They are one of the league's elite.
Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio didn't let it bother them. Love ended up with a season high 42 points while grabbing 16 boards. Rubio had a career high in assists with 17 as the Wolves got off to a great start and played the Pacers pretty even the rest of the way.
Result? Wolves win.
That's Love EIGHTH straight game with at least 25 points and 10 rebounds. No player has done that since Shaq in early 2005. It was also his 14th 30/10 game of the season. Best in the league this so far.
As good as last night was for Love, Ricky Rubio's passing entered a whole 'nother orbit. And the Wolves are STILL without two regular starters in Martin and Pekovic.
I can't feel too bad about the Wolves being below .500. Compared to other franchises in Minnesota they are positively dazzling, and they can compete with the league's best when they are playing well.
Let's hope last night was a sign of things to come rather than just another anomoly.
Time will tell.
Still mildly interested.
Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio didn't let it bother them. Love ended up with a season high 42 points while grabbing 16 boards. Rubio had a career high in assists with 17 as the Wolves got off to a great start and played the Pacers pretty even the rest of the way.
Result? Wolves win.
That's Love EIGHTH straight game with at least 25 points and 10 rebounds. No player has done that since Shaq in early 2005. It was also his 14th 30/10 game of the season. Best in the league this so far.
As good as last night was for Love, Ricky Rubio's passing entered a whole 'nother orbit. And the Wolves are STILL without two regular starters in Martin and Pekovic.
I can't feel too bad about the Wolves being below .500. Compared to other franchises in Minnesota they are positively dazzling, and they can compete with the league's best when they are playing well.
Let's hope last night was a sign of things to come rather than just another anomoly.
Time will tell.
Still mildly interested.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Hurry Up And Wait
There's a controversial rule proposal being suggested in NCCA football this week that's got a lot of football fans hot and bothered.
The proposal? That defenses would be given at least 10 seconds to substitute players after each play, forcing offenses to wait for them rather than run the next play as soon as the offense is ready. In effect it would greatly curtail the hurry-up offenses that so many college teams are finding success with.
This year it was powerhouse Auburn that refused to take a breather between plays. But in past years teams like Texas Tech and Oregon made those types of all-out offenses popular.
The reason given for the change? Player safety concerns.
That all sounds well and good, I mean who wants to see more injuries? But the problem arises when you start to look at the facts. Defenses forced to play that up an tempo game don't have any more injuries than regular defenses. They might get a tad more TIRED but that isn't exactly a safety issue. It's more of a conditioning one.
It seems that old school coaches don't like having to coming up with brand new defensive schemes to stop these high powered offenses, so the only thing they could think of to slow them down was to change the rules.
In the NFL, teams like the Broncos, Patriots, San Francisco, and Philly are incorporating these kinds of offenses more and more. But guess what? As good as THOSE teams are, each one was convincingly STOPPED this year by a better DEFENSE.
The real solution, it seems, to high-octane offenses is to build a better defense. OR to build an equally high-powered offense of your own.
Proposed rule changes are a gutless move by lazy coaches. Making college football less exciting by handicapping offenses is NOT the solution. Hiring more modern coaches is.
College football is going to be bad enough going forward because of the loss of the BCS system. The last thing you want to do is make the game even less watchable with bad new rules.
The proposal? That defenses would be given at least 10 seconds to substitute players after each play, forcing offenses to wait for them rather than run the next play as soon as the offense is ready. In effect it would greatly curtail the hurry-up offenses that so many college teams are finding success with.
This year it was powerhouse Auburn that refused to take a breather between plays. But in past years teams like Texas Tech and Oregon made those types of all-out offenses popular.
The reason given for the change? Player safety concerns.
That all sounds well and good, I mean who wants to see more injuries? But the problem arises when you start to look at the facts. Defenses forced to play that up an tempo game don't have any more injuries than regular defenses. They might get a tad more TIRED but that isn't exactly a safety issue. It's more of a conditioning one.
It seems that old school coaches don't like having to coming up with brand new defensive schemes to stop these high powered offenses, so the only thing they could think of to slow them down was to change the rules.
In the NFL, teams like the Broncos, Patriots, San Francisco, and Philly are incorporating these kinds of offenses more and more. But guess what? As good as THOSE teams are, each one was convincingly STOPPED this year by a better DEFENSE.
The real solution, it seems, to high-octane offenses is to build a better defense. OR to build an equally high-powered offense of your own.
Proposed rule changes are a gutless move by lazy coaches. Making college football less exciting by handicapping offenses is NOT the solution. Hiring more modern coaches is.
College football is going to be bad enough going forward because of the loss of the BCS system. The last thing you want to do is make the game even less watchable with bad new rules.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Olympics Ratings Disappoint
The TV ratings for the Sochi games are down by almost 15% over the last games. The primary reason given is that they aren't live, but the greater trend, it seems, is that people don't care much for anything but figure skating and ice dancing.
There's not much else to get excited about. I look for that trend to continue at the next Olympics. With reality shows on TV like Duck Dynasty getting nearly half the viewers of the Games, it's clear American viewers no longer need to get their "up close and personal" features from a bunch of unknown athletes in made-up sports.
Americans can now choose their own meaningless celebrities with which to get up close and personal. The appeal to sports fans is gone. The appeal to discovering celebrity backgrounds is already being met.
If I want to watch great athletes in a made-up sport I'll stick to WWE. They are launching their own 24-hour PPV channel soon with hundreds of thousands of hours of on-demand viewing available with the click of a remote..
Cesaro is WAY more interesting than anything the Olympics have to offer. His match with John Cena last night was unbelievable. And let's not forget Daniel Bryan. His "Yes Movement" is sweeping the globe.
Kind of like the Olympics. It's just that more people are interested.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
There's not much else to get excited about. I look for that trend to continue at the next Olympics. With reality shows on TV like Duck Dynasty getting nearly half the viewers of the Games, it's clear American viewers no longer need to get their "up close and personal" features from a bunch of unknown athletes in made-up sports.
Americans can now choose their own meaningless celebrities with which to get up close and personal. The appeal to sports fans is gone. The appeal to discovering celebrity backgrounds is already being met.
If I want to watch great athletes in a made-up sport I'll stick to WWE. They are launching their own 24-hour PPV channel soon with hundreds of thousands of hours of on-demand viewing available with the click of a remote..
Cesaro is WAY more interesting than anything the Olympics have to offer. His match with John Cena last night was unbelievable. And let's not forget Daniel Bryan. His "Yes Movement" is sweeping the globe.
Kind of like the Olympics. It's just that more people are interested.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Official Spring Training Starts
Though a few players have been working out for a couple of days down in Florida, the Twins held their first official pitchers and catchers practice yesterday
News? Pedro Florimon had his appendix removed and will miss a couple of weeks. A forty man roster player, Edgar Ibarra, was diagnosed with Hepatitis B a few weeks ago. He now has lingering long-term health concerns. He's a 24-year old pitcher who wasn't expected to make the major leagues for awhile.
News? Pedro Florimon had his appendix removed and will miss a couple of weeks. A forty man roster player, Edgar Ibarra, was diagnosed with Hepatitis B a few weeks ago. He now has lingering long-term health concerns. He's a 24-year old pitcher who wasn't expected to make the major leagues for awhile.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Sad Story
Awhile back, I reported that Mark Mulder was giving up his ESPN baseball commentator duties to give MLB pitching another chance. His arm, with a just discovered new throwing motion, was doing great. He was doing so well in his comeback bid that it was expected he'd be one of the top three starters for his team, the Angels, this season.
But Saturday, while doing a routine warm up drill of running backwards, he tore his achilles tendon. He didn't trip, slip, or fall. He wasn't even going fast. It just tore. He is now out for the season and it could very well end his comeback bid.
He'll be 37 next season, and the clock is definitely ticking.
But Saturday, while doing a routine warm up drill of running backwards, he tore his achilles tendon. He didn't trip, slip, or fall. He wasn't even going fast. It just tore. He is now out for the season and it could very well end his comeback bid.
He'll be 37 next season, and the clock is definitely ticking.
318 Points
There was a lot of scoring in the the NBA All-Star game last night. The LOSING team had 155 points.
Yawn.
I didn't think it possible, but when your only goal is to get the ball and dunk it as quickly as you can, you make an already difficult game to watch even more boring to sit through.
Worse?
ESPN's top 10 plays will show all of them endlessly today.
In other news, Downton Abbey, at a slightly slower pace, was great last night. Best quote? "If you're going to deliberately complicate your life, at least do it for the right reason."
Downton wins the showdown.
It wasn't even close.
Runner-up? The USA ice dancing team at the Olympics. Perfection. It was a slam dunk.
Come to think of it, the only place that term has bad connotations for me is in the game of basketball.
Yawn.
I didn't think it possible, but when your only goal is to get the ball and dunk it as quickly as you can, you make an already difficult game to watch even more boring to sit through.
Worse?
ESPN's top 10 plays will show all of them endlessly today.
In other news, Downton Abbey, at a slightly slower pace, was great last night. Best quote? "If you're going to deliberately complicate your life, at least do it for the right reason."
Downton wins the showdown.
It wasn't even close.
Runner-up? The USA ice dancing team at the Olympics. Perfection. It was a slam dunk.
Come to think of it, the only place that term has bad connotations for me is in the game of basketball.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Underperforming
We watched a little bit of speed skating last night at the end of a long day of marathon TV viewing.
I was surprised to find out, that up to the point when we first started watching, that the U.S. men and women had not yet won a single medal in any of the events. Zero for 17 so far and counting.
That didn't change while we were watching. Some were blaming the new suits that had never been tested in competition, but a change to the old suits didn't help matters any. They all still lost and for the most part they all lost handily.
And they were expecting LOTS of gold and silver medals. The U.S. had several recent world champions and Olympic winners on their squad. They just didn't look very good in this competition. They ALL underperformed.
I have no idea what the real reason was, but between events labeled as ski-style, skate-cross and ski-cross, most of which no one has ever heard of, and all of these underperforming U.S. athletes, I really have no idea why anyone would want to watch MOST of the Olympic games.
They should just call it the Olympic Ice Games and just have figure skating and hockey. Countries would save boatloads of money by not sending thousands of athletes to compete in made up sports, and there would always be something on TV to watch. Oddly enough, Olympic hockey is much easier to watch than its NHL counter-part. None of the bullies are invited and that makes for a much slicker viewer-friendly game.
As for me and my wife, it's time for another afternoon and evening of marathon TV viewing.
Between things like Netflix, Hulu, and On Demand programming, the U.S. TV viewing landscape is changing rapidly. Viewers are now programming their own TV schedule. And in the long run, I no longer think that vapid events like curling will make the cut. Even if they are part of something called The Olympics.
I was surprised to find out, that up to the point when we first started watching, that the U.S. men and women had not yet won a single medal in any of the events. Zero for 17 so far and counting.
That didn't change while we were watching. Some were blaming the new suits that had never been tested in competition, but a change to the old suits didn't help matters any. They all still lost and for the most part they all lost handily.
And they were expecting LOTS of gold and silver medals. The U.S. had several recent world champions and Olympic winners on their squad. They just didn't look very good in this competition. They ALL underperformed.
I have no idea what the real reason was, but between events labeled as ski-style, skate-cross and ski-cross, most of which no one has ever heard of, and all of these underperforming U.S. athletes, I really have no idea why anyone would want to watch MOST of the Olympic games.
They should just call it the Olympic Ice Games and just have figure skating and hockey. Countries would save boatloads of money by not sending thousands of athletes to compete in made up sports, and there would always be something on TV to watch. Oddly enough, Olympic hockey is much easier to watch than its NHL counter-part. None of the bullies are invited and that makes for a much slicker viewer-friendly game.
As for me and my wife, it's time for another afternoon and evening of marathon TV viewing.
Between things like Netflix, Hulu, and On Demand programming, the U.S. TV viewing landscape is changing rapidly. Viewers are now programming their own TV schedule. And in the long run, I no longer think that vapid events like curling will make the cut. Even if they are part of something called The Olympics.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Twins Acquire Another Mediocre Pitcher
A few days ago the Twins acquired Brooks Raley off the waiver wire from the Chicago Cubs, He's had a couple of short seasons as both a starter and reliever at the major league level, supplemented by minor league ball. His ERA over that time? Over 7.00. He's now officially the 40th man on our protected roster.
This move is a bit of a head scratcher. He's only 25, so he does have time to get better, but making room on our 40-man roster limit for him seems...well...dumb. I honestly thought we were done collecting pitchers with limited ability for this season.
Everybody, it seems, is excited about spring training. I'm not there yet. I want to see our starting rotation rotate a few times first.
Right now, I'm thinking that will involve a lot of pitchers rotating in and out of our starting rotation, which is not instilling in me a great deal of confidence.
Higher hopes than last spring? Perhaps. But that doesn't mean much. In baseball so much of who you are as a team depends on starting pitching, and after the last several years of a below average rotation, I have to see some improvement before I believe.
The Twins track record on finding starters lately has not been exactly stellar.
And our roster cost THIS season is still pretty much the same as LAST season.
The Vikings start their season in just 5 short months.
I'm starting to see a depressing pattern here.
This move is a bit of a head scratcher. He's only 25, so he does have time to get better, but making room on our 40-man roster limit for him seems...well...dumb. I honestly thought we were done collecting pitchers with limited ability for this season.
Everybody, it seems, is excited about spring training. I'm not there yet. I want to see our starting rotation rotate a few times first.
Right now, I'm thinking that will involve a lot of pitchers rotating in and out of our starting rotation, which is not instilling in me a great deal of confidence.
Higher hopes than last spring? Perhaps. But that doesn't mean much. In baseball so much of who you are as a team depends on starting pitching, and after the last several years of a below average rotation, I have to see some improvement before I believe.
The Twins track record on finding starters lately has not been exactly stellar.
And our roster cost THIS season is still pretty much the same as LAST season.
The Vikings start their season in just 5 short months.
I'm starting to see a depressing pattern here.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Valentines
I've noticed a weird trend in jewelry advertising lately.
Jewelry stores are trying to sell diamonds of different colors. The chocolate diamond "exclusive" at a certain national chain store I find the most baffling. If a man wants to dazzle his woman with the most stunning piece of jewelry he could possibly find, why would he buy her a dull BROWN diamond?
It's not like diamonds are cheap. But there they are, all over my screen during commercial breaks. There's green diamonds, there's red diamonds, there's even new blue diamonds. It's like they are trying to sell me Lucky Charms cereal instead of precious gems.
And when they are shown in settings with necklaces, bracelets, and rings it makes this REALLY expensive jewelry look like cheap costume jewelry. Everybody knows it's rubies that are red and emeralds that are green. (We've seen the Wizard of Oz. We know.) This just adds another unnecessary layer of confusion for a guy who is trying so hard to buy something secretly for his girl.
"You got me the GREEN one?! I wanted that color LAST year. Don't you ever listen to me??? Blue, BLUE is in this year. And I would have settled for chocolate. Don't you know ANYTHING about diamonds? You're SOOOOO inconsiderate..."
That's entirely too much pressure.
Guys KNOW a bright clear diamond is REALLY a diamond. They also know that gold is a bright yellow...
...what? Gold is silver-colored too? Why on Earth would somebody buy gold that isn't gold-colored?
I'll stick to roses.
Jewelry stores, you brought this on yourselves.
Jewelry stores are trying to sell diamonds of different colors. The chocolate diamond "exclusive" at a certain national chain store I find the most baffling. If a man wants to dazzle his woman with the most stunning piece of jewelry he could possibly find, why would he buy her a dull BROWN diamond?
It's not like diamonds are cheap. But there they are, all over my screen during commercial breaks. There's green diamonds, there's red diamonds, there's even new blue diamonds. It's like they are trying to sell me Lucky Charms cereal instead of precious gems.
And when they are shown in settings with necklaces, bracelets, and rings it makes this REALLY expensive jewelry look like cheap costume jewelry. Everybody knows it's rubies that are red and emeralds that are green. (We've seen the Wizard of Oz. We know.) This just adds another unnecessary layer of confusion for a guy who is trying so hard to buy something secretly for his girl.
"You got me the GREEN one?! I wanted that color LAST year. Don't you ever listen to me??? Blue, BLUE is in this year. And I would have settled for chocolate. Don't you know ANYTHING about diamonds? You're SOOOOO inconsiderate..."
That's entirely too much pressure.
Guys KNOW a bright clear diamond is REALLY a diamond. They also know that gold is a bright yellow...
...what? Gold is silver-colored too? Why on Earth would somebody buy gold that isn't gold-colored?
I'll stick to roses.
Jewelry stores, you brought this on yourselves.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Wolves Romp
I decided to tune in again last night because with the Olympics on, all other TV shows have went to reruns.
I find NBA basketball fascinating at times. In a sport like baseball, great pitching will absolutely DOMINATE good hitting. That's why so many World Series games are low scoring. And winners are determined by a key defensive play or an unexpected, heroic mammoth blast.
Football is that way too. You can have the greatest offense of all-time and still get kicked by a team with a crushing defense.
But basketball is different, as much as it is a team sport, it's individual play that matters. Last night is an example of that. Love had HIS usual game with 30+ points and his share of rebounds, but the Wolves are still missing a couple of their key starters.
The subs last night were GREAT. Just the opposite of how they looked during the last four games (which were disappointing losses). The game wasn't decided by the subs SHOOTING, though it was good for a change. The game was determined by their suffocating defense causing turnover after turnover. And GREAT passing.
These players aren't all-stars. They all have flaws in their game. That's why they are not starters. But where they can excel, and where they can make a difference is in there ability to hustle. They ALL did that last night so that when they all hustle they can blow out a team with a similar record.
Individual performance in a team sport like basketball isn't won by the guy who hits 30 points every night. It's won by the subs making lay-ups off quick steals, and finding the open man when passing.
It's the same at every level. Great teams hustle. Bad teams are lazy. Last night the Wolves were a great team. That kind of play can win championships.
They don't have to shoot 50% from three-point range. They have to get 25-30 fast-break points off lay-ups. And not give the ball up easily when on offense.
Every night.
Every night.
Every night.
I find NBA basketball fascinating at times. In a sport like baseball, great pitching will absolutely DOMINATE good hitting. That's why so many World Series games are low scoring. And winners are determined by a key defensive play or an unexpected, heroic mammoth blast.
Football is that way too. You can have the greatest offense of all-time and still get kicked by a team with a crushing defense.
But basketball is different, as much as it is a team sport, it's individual play that matters. Last night is an example of that. Love had HIS usual game with 30+ points and his share of rebounds, but the Wolves are still missing a couple of their key starters.
The subs last night were GREAT. Just the opposite of how they looked during the last four games (which were disappointing losses). The game wasn't decided by the subs SHOOTING, though it was good for a change. The game was determined by their suffocating defense causing turnover after turnover. And GREAT passing.
These players aren't all-stars. They all have flaws in their game. That's why they are not starters. But where they can excel, and where they can make a difference is in there ability to hustle. They ALL did that last night so that when they all hustle they can blow out a team with a similar record.
Individual performance in a team sport like basketball isn't won by the guy who hits 30 points every night. It's won by the subs making lay-ups off quick steals, and finding the open man when passing.
It's the same at every level. Great teams hustle. Bad teams are lazy. Last night the Wolves were a great team. That kind of play can win championships.
They don't have to shoot 50% from three-point range. They have to get 25-30 fast-break points off lay-ups. And not give the ball up easily when on offense.
Every night.
Every night.
Every night.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Notes
Twins GM Terry Ryan has cancer. It's the skin type. He will not be with the Twins in spring training. Though everyone of his assistants is on board with his philosophy, they will NOT be making major decisions on Sano and Buxton without him witnessing them on the field down in Florida. This will probably affect both of their young careers a bit.
I didn't watch the Olympics yesterday. The one time I tried, I discovered (surprise!) curling on CNBC. The USA was losing because their captain, "wasn't throwing the stone well today."
sigh
The Wolves lost their fourth straight last night. I didn't even bother looking for it.
I'm just trying to hold on until spring training.
On a lighter note, I discovered that the PBS channel app on Apple TV has dozens of archived Mi5 episodes to watch for free. It's a spy thriller show from Great Britain. We're hoping to watch a marathon session or two in the near future. Life without sports can still be fun if you know where to look.
I didn't watch the Olympics yesterday. The one time I tried, I discovered (surprise!) curling on CNBC. The USA was losing because their captain, "wasn't throwing the stone well today."
sigh
The Wolves lost their fourth straight last night. I didn't even bother looking for it.
I'm just trying to hold on until spring training.
On a lighter note, I discovered that the PBS channel app on Apple TV has dozens of archived Mi5 episodes to watch for free. It's a spy thriller show from Great Britain. We're hoping to watch a marathon session or two in the near future. Life without sports can still be fun if you know where to look.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Santana
Johann Santana has had two major shoulder surgeries in the last 31 months.
His tweet Friday?
“Just want to let you guys know that I started throwing off the mound this week, and I feel great!!! One step closer!!! Believe it!!!”
A heathy Santana would instantly elevate any pitching staff. The only question: Are there any GM's out there that are willing to believe?
I'm rooting for him, but I definitely, at this point, would not reserve a roster spot for him.
I seem to remember that he had some bone chips removed from his pitching elbow as well a few years back. That usually points to Tommy John surgery in the not to distant future. He's not out of the woods yet. And further surgeries may be more likely than a successful return.
A minor league deal would be the first step. We'll just have to wait and see if anyone signs him. He'll come cheap. That's something the Twins are good at noticing.
His tweet Friday?
“Just want to let you guys know that I started throwing off the mound this week, and I feel great!!! One step closer!!! Believe it!!!”
A heathy Santana would instantly elevate any pitching staff. The only question: Are there any GM's out there that are willing to believe?
I'm rooting for him, but I definitely, at this point, would not reserve a roster spot for him.
I seem to remember that he had some bone chips removed from his pitching elbow as well a few years back. That usually points to Tommy John surgery in the not to distant future. He's not out of the woods yet. And further surgeries may be more likely than a successful return.
A minor league deal would be the first step. We'll just have to wait and see if anyone signs him. He'll come cheap. That's something the Twins are good at noticing.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Olympics
I rag on the winter games often, and I think deservedly so, but I have to admit parts of the last two nights were pretty good. Friday's opening ceremonies were a geek's fevered dream. The technology needed to pull off that spectacle was absolutely mind-blowing (not literally mind-blowing as I heard a few people say).
Last night's female figure skating was great because of one tiny little individual. The Russian 15-year old was SOOOO good that the rest should have just stayed home. A great exhibition like that makes up for the 14 hours of continuous cross country ski coverage in the afternoon. Norway and Sweden took the top 87 qualifying spots. I had no idea that they'd be cross country skiing across the whole country. I guess that was my mistake, though. I won't make that mistake again.
By the way, if I had a dime for every mistake I've made in my lifetime, I'd be broke.
Last night's female figure skating was great because of one tiny little individual. The Russian 15-year old was SOOOO good that the rest should have just stayed home. A great exhibition like that makes up for the 14 hours of continuous cross country ski coverage in the afternoon. Norway and Sweden took the top 87 qualifying spots. I had no idea that they'd be cross country skiing across the whole country. I guess that was my mistake, though. I won't make that mistake again.
By the way, if I had a dime for every mistake I've made in my lifetime, I'd be broke.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Wolves Clubbed In Fouth Quarter
A great first three quarters went the way of the dodo bird last night.
The Wolves were manhandled badly, being outscored 37-20 in that final quarter.
And the Pelicans are one of the bad teams in the league.
Love was back, and good, but that obviously wasn't enough.
"Mediocrity, thy name is Minnesota Sports"-- Will "The Thrill" Shakespeare
The Wolves were manhandled badly, being outscored 37-20 in that final quarter.
And the Pelicans are one of the bad teams in the league.
Love was back, and good, but that obviously wasn't enough.
"Mediocrity, thy name is Minnesota Sports"-- Will "The Thrill" Shakespeare
A-Rod Accepts Defeat
Knowing a lengthy lawsuit against baseball would cost him as much as $10 million in court fees, and finally realizing that he would rather be Ryan Braun than Pete Rose, A-Rod decided to start rebuilding bridges yesterday. He's stopping all counter-suits.
You can't fight the machine without being a pariah.
He wants a better reputation beyond baseball in the future.
And the mafia known as MLB wins yet again.
You can't fight the machine without being a pariah.
He wants a better reputation beyond baseball in the future.
And the mafia known as MLB wins yet again.
The First Gold Medal
The first gold medal of this Olympic games went to the USA.
It was in something called "slopestyle".
Your honor, I rest my case from yesterday's opening argument.
I don't even have to know what it is. The name makes my point far better than anything I could add today.
It was in something called "slopestyle".
Your honor, I rest my case from yesterday's opening argument.
I don't even have to know what it is. The name makes my point far better than anything I could add today.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Curling
I readily admit there is very little about the Winter Olympics that I find watchable.
There is just too much supposed sports where judging is deemed necessary. Even something like ski jumping has judges to determine the best jumper. Oddly enough, distance is no longer the sole determiner of who jumps the farthest. No, looking good matters, too, as if it's a red carpet event like the Oscars.
Most of the events are fun to watch in themselves, but they would be much more palatable if they were merely exhibitions. Figure skating is that way. The predetermined very best skaters are given a chance at the gold and silver medals, but those who are not favorites going in will not be given the best medals at the end. The best skater may have to wait until another world event or two to prove herself first. There's no way she'll win top honors as an unknown. There's a pecking order that makes it impossible to be considered. The skaters know this, the coaches know this, the judges know this.
That's just the way it is. If the judges really like a newcomer, they be given a chance to move up and rub elbows with the elite... next time.
And that's only one of things wrong. There are so many individual "sports" that require expert judges. Quick, name three team sports in the Winter Olympic Games.
Ice Hockey, curling and...
...yeah it's hard to find another one. And riding down an ice-packed hill wildly together doesn't count any more than a roller coster or floom ride. So that means almost all the sports require judging. I've said it often, if your sport requires a judge, you most likely aren't participating in a sport. Even UFC and boxing which has two combatants squaring off against each other requires judges. It didn't use to be that way. Guys are now trying to land more blows than to actually stop their opponents. They want to look pretty out there to impress judges. And judging doesn't determine clear winners. That's why there so much controversy at judged events. I'm not saying the participants aren't athletes. I'm saying that what they do isn't a real sport.
But back to the winter games...
Curling IS a sport. There are no judges and the competitors actually do something to try to win.
No one, as far as I can tell, knows exactly what that is except the competitors themselves, but viewers inexplicably seem to like it.
I'm not one of those viewers. It's one of the few sports that seem to have the opposite problem of most judged events. None of the competitors appear to be athletes.
I'm reasonably sure that anybody reading this could be a quick substitute for any one of the major Olympic team participants with just a couple weeks of basic training to learn what exactly it is they do. Eric the Vike Man. Cranky Curtis. Tom the Retired Twins Fan. Iron Myron, Super Steve. The Casually Observing Wife. The Casually Observing Twin. ALL of you could curl with the best of them.
I hate to rag on curling because its not the participants' fault they aren't athletes. It the very nature of the Winter theme of the games that's the problem.
I just know that the last Winter Olympic Games bragged about having 15,000 hours of coverage on the 9 different NBC sister channels 24 hours a day.
And every time I checked, every single channel had curling on, except NBC in prime time.
There they had judges JUDGING how pretty jumpers looked while going for distance while ski jumping.
We settle so easily.
USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
There is just too much supposed sports where judging is deemed necessary. Even something like ski jumping has judges to determine the best jumper. Oddly enough, distance is no longer the sole determiner of who jumps the farthest. No, looking good matters, too, as if it's a red carpet event like the Oscars.
Most of the events are fun to watch in themselves, but they would be much more palatable if they were merely exhibitions. Figure skating is that way. The predetermined very best skaters are given a chance at the gold and silver medals, but those who are not favorites going in will not be given the best medals at the end. The best skater may have to wait until another world event or two to prove herself first. There's no way she'll win top honors as an unknown. There's a pecking order that makes it impossible to be considered. The skaters know this, the coaches know this, the judges know this.
That's just the way it is. If the judges really like a newcomer, they be given a chance to move up and rub elbows with the elite... next time.
And that's only one of things wrong. There are so many individual "sports" that require expert judges. Quick, name three team sports in the Winter Olympic Games.
Ice Hockey, curling and...
...yeah it's hard to find another one. And riding down an ice-packed hill wildly together doesn't count any more than a roller coster or floom ride. So that means almost all the sports require judging. I've said it often, if your sport requires a judge, you most likely aren't participating in a sport. Even UFC and boxing which has two combatants squaring off against each other requires judges. It didn't use to be that way. Guys are now trying to land more blows than to actually stop their opponents. They want to look pretty out there to impress judges. And judging doesn't determine clear winners. That's why there so much controversy at judged events. I'm not saying the participants aren't athletes. I'm saying that what they do isn't a real sport.
But back to the winter games...
Curling IS a sport. There are no judges and the competitors actually do something to try to win.
No one, as far as I can tell, knows exactly what that is except the competitors themselves, but viewers inexplicably seem to like it.
I'm not one of those viewers. It's one of the few sports that seem to have the opposite problem of most judged events. None of the competitors appear to be athletes.
I'm reasonably sure that anybody reading this could be a quick substitute for any one of the major Olympic team participants with just a couple weeks of basic training to learn what exactly it is they do. Eric the Vike Man. Cranky Curtis. Tom the Retired Twins Fan. Iron Myron, Super Steve. The Casually Observing Wife. The Casually Observing Twin. ALL of you could curl with the best of them.
I hate to rag on curling because its not the participants' fault they aren't athletes. It the very nature of the Winter theme of the games that's the problem.
I just know that the last Winter Olympic Games bragged about having 15,000 hours of coverage on the 9 different NBC sister channels 24 hours a day.
And every time I checked, every single channel had curling on, except NBC in prime time.
There they had judges JUDGING how pretty jumpers looked while going for distance while ski jumping.
We settle so easily.
USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Where Is Love?
The Wolves lost to Kevin Durant and OKC. They kept it close the whole way but pooped out at the end with three missing starters. Love went down hard the previous game and both he and his tailbone were bruised and sore.
I was looking forward to that matchup with OKC on a huge hot streak and the Wolves playing very well as of late.
Instead it turned into another inevitable loss. Minnesota held Durant under 30 points. That was an accomplishment, but they had too many stupid turnovers. Waiting for the team to be healthy again.
I was looking forward to that matchup with OKC on a huge hot streak and the Wolves playing very well as of late.
Instead it turned into another inevitable loss. Minnesota held Durant under 30 points. That was an accomplishment, but they had too many stupid turnovers. Waiting for the team to be healthy again.
Windows
Bill Gates recently stepped down as CEO of Microsoft. He decided he'd have more fun at the company if he just worked on special projects. His first day got off to rough start, however, when he spent the entire morning trying to install the latest Windows 8 update. Having no success, he got the company's brand new president to help him with the project after lunch. They ended up wasting the whole day on the adventure.
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/borowitzreport/2014/02/gates-spends-entire-first-day-back-in-office-trying-to-install-windows-81.html
Mac users have long known that when it comes to getting work done that nothing is better than an Apple product. When the two most powerful people at Microsoft can't get Windows to work you realize what a poor product it is.
There is virtually no malware or viruses on the Mac as well (as long as you stay away form illegal pirated software.)
Outgoing president, Steve Ballmer had a horrible problem with PC software a few years back costing him two full days of work. I found that article for you here:
http://macdailynews.com/2006/06/05/microsoft_ceo_ballmer_spends_two_days_unsuccessfully_trying_to_clean_win/
If you don't have a Mac, you really should. If you don't currently have one, buy one the next time you need a computer. You get to actually USE them instead of spending all day trying to make them work.
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/borowitzreport/2014/02/gates-spends-entire-first-day-back-in-office-trying-to-install-windows-81.html
Mac users have long known that when it comes to getting work done that nothing is better than an Apple product. When the two most powerful people at Microsoft can't get Windows to work you realize what a poor product it is.
There is virtually no malware or viruses on the Mac as well (as long as you stay away form illegal pirated software.)
Outgoing president, Steve Ballmer had a horrible problem with PC software a few years back costing him two full days of work. I found that article for you here:
http://macdailynews.com/2006/06/05/microsoft_ceo_ballmer_spends_two_days_unsuccessfully_trying_to_clean_win/
If you don't have a Mac, you really should. If you don't currently have one, buy one the next time you need a computer. You get to actually USE them instead of spending all day trying to make them work.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Wolves Beat Hapless Lakers
The T-Wolves are once more back to .500. Love was great. And I just wanted to type that headline so badly.
Tracy McGrady
He may be retired from the NBA, but at just 34 years-old, Tracy McGrady still thinks he has enough in the tank to pitch in the major leagues.
He's starting his journey with the Sugar Land Skeeters this season, an independent Atlantic League team made famous by Roger Clemens pitching presence back in 2012.
Is he good enough to pitch in the majors? We won't know that for a couple of years yet. But he's training hard and willing. And at 6 feet 8, he'll be intimidating on the mound either way. I'm rooting for him.
He's starting his journey with the Sugar Land Skeeters this season, an independent Atlantic League team made famous by Roger Clemens pitching presence back in 2012.
Is he good enough to pitch in the majors? We won't know that for a couple of years yet. But he's training hard and willing. And at 6 feet 8, he'll be intimidating on the mound either way. I'm rooting for him.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Postpartum Depession
Women who have recently had a baby are frequently diagnosed with a type of clinical depression called postpartum. It's quite common, effecting 1 in 8 new mothers. They don't care about their newborn child, or anything for that matter.
Men suffer it too, but it's far more widespread, and there is no cure. It happens after the Super Bowl. Without their weekly dose of NFL football, they just have to wait for the depression to end. Those who like baseball will have a shorter time of it. But those who only watch football will most likely be affected by it the entire off-season.
Worse? If your own team is a big fat loser season after season, it never disappears during the season either. The effects are with you year -long. They aren't as strong, though, you just kind of go numb.
Women have it easy compared to male Vikings fans.
They really do.
Men suffer it too, but it's far more widespread, and there is no cure. It happens after the Super Bowl. Without their weekly dose of NFL football, they just have to wait for the depression to end. Those who like baseball will have a shorter time of it. But those who only watch football will most likely be affected by it the entire off-season.
Worse? If your own team is a big fat loser season after season, it never disappears during the season either. The effects are with you year -long. They aren't as strong, though, you just kind of go numb.
Women have it easy compared to male Vikings fans.
They really do.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Sano
Miguel Sano and the Twins have elected to continue long rest on his elbow rather than Tommy John surgery. If all heals well naturally, Sano will be the Twins third baseman by mid-season. Plouffe, no matter how good he may be this year, is just filling the spot until Sano's arrival.
Sano is this club's third baseman. He just needs to heal fully.
Sano is this club's third baseman. He just needs to heal fully.
Dull Game
Before it started, I told the Casually Observing Wife that it would be an absolute blowout one way or the other. It was not going to be a close game.
That was the only satisfaction I had last night.
That and the commercial with the little dog with the large head. The 80's icons Radio Shack commercial was pretty good, too.
365 days to go, I hope next year's game will be a lot better than this year's.
That was the only satisfaction I had last night.
That and the commercial with the little dog with the large head. The 80's icons Radio Shack commercial was pretty good, too.
365 days to go, I hope next year's game will be a lot better than this year's.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Super Bowl
I ignored two weeks of hype and stats. The game is what matters. Most experts say in big games like this that great defenses beat great offenses. History defends that point of view. You have the league's best current defense against history's best offense today. I think that makes at least a subtle difference.
Two weeks off usually hurts well-oiled offensive machines though.
I'm picking and rooting for Denver. And good BBQs. The food is often more important than the game. Today will be no exception.
And there better be good commercials. Last year's were disappointing.
Two weeks off usually hurts well-oiled offensive machines though.
I'm picking and rooting for Denver. And good BBQs. The food is often more important than the game. Today will be no exception.
And there better be good commercials. Last year's were disappointing.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Incognito
I haven't commented on the Richie Incognito/ Jonathan Martin Miami Dolphin bullying case much because I really wanted to hear Incognito's side of the story first.
There's too much to it to repeat all of the details here but this is a good summary:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10382065/richie-incognito-attorney-releases-texts-involving-jonathan-martin
It sounds like their relationship was a standard buddy comedy until someone insanely finally decided to take offense.
I think the league, the media, and the Miami Dolphins all owe Incognito an apology and some damages. Yes, it's obvious that he's a very profane man, but he's not racist. People who play the race card in these circumstances are racist, and I now think that includes Jonathan Martin.
And I think Martin needs some serious counseling. He should never go near another team's locker room again. I know I wouldn't trust him farther than I could throw him. Being an offensive lineman, let's face it, that wouldn't be very far. Cancers like that need to be removed permanently, not transplanted to grow their malignancy elsewhere.
There's too much to it to repeat all of the details here but this is a good summary:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10382065/richie-incognito-attorney-releases-texts-involving-jonathan-martin
It sounds like their relationship was a standard buddy comedy until someone insanely finally decided to take offense.
I think the league, the media, and the Miami Dolphins all owe Incognito an apology and some damages. Yes, it's obvious that he's a very profane man, but he's not racist. People who play the race card in these circumstances are racist, and I now think that includes Jonathan Martin.
And I think Martin needs some serious counseling. He should never go near another team's locker room again. I know I wouldn't trust him farther than I could throw him. Being an offensive lineman, let's face it, that wouldn't be very far. Cancers like that need to be removed permanently, not transplanted to grow their malignancy elsewhere.
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