Looking forward to both NFL games today. And the free HBO and Showtime preview weekend on Mediacom. Should find something to watch.
Go Carolina! Go Pats! Go Green Bay! Go Denver!
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Friday, January 9, 2015
Waiting
The only thing of interest going on in sports right now is football playoffs. College's big game is Monday. The NFL has games this weekend.
ESPN talk shows are trying to get people interested in other sports. I believe their favorite topic right now is the Cleveland Cavaliers current lousy streak without LeBron. But even they can't talk about it with passion for more than a few minutes a day.
The biggest news is that Aaron Rodgers calf muscle has a minor tear, but it's probably no worse than it was two weeks ago when he played and won against Detroit. With two weeks of mostly rest and healing it probably is substantially better.
blah, blah, blah
I'm just waiting to watch some football, continuing my Mission Impossible marathon in the meantime. At least prime time shows are showing new episodes again.
The Wolves being so lousy and the Twins being months away sure leads to a lot of waiting.
ESPN talk shows are trying to get people interested in other sports. I believe their favorite topic right now is the Cleveland Cavaliers current lousy streak without LeBron. But even they can't talk about it with passion for more than a few minutes a day.
The biggest news is that Aaron Rodgers calf muscle has a minor tear, but it's probably no worse than it was two weeks ago when he played and won against Detroit. With two weeks of mostly rest and healing it probably is substantially better.
blah, blah, blah
I'm just waiting to watch some football, continuing my Mission Impossible marathon in the meantime. At least prime time shows are showing new episodes again.
The Wolves being so lousy and the Twins being months away sure leads to a lot of waiting.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Peter Lupus
While watching the first season of Mission Impossible, I started to wonder about Peter Lupus, the strong man in the series. Did he have any bodybuilding titles? Had he won any weightlifting events?
I went to the world's greatest search engine (my wife) to discover some details. Bodybuilding wasn't quite as big a deal then as it is now. Dave Draper appeared on the Beverly Hillbillies once, and some local California bodybuilders showed up on an episode of the Monkees and some teen beach movies now and then. But other than Charles Atlas ads in the comic books, that was about it.
Most of these guys were muscular but they were rarely very tall. And then you have Peter Lupus the 6 foot 4, 260 pound bodybuilder that showed up as Willie, for the IMF for CBS back in 1966. As a kid we all thought he was so cool.
But what had he accomplished in real life? He won the Mr. Indianapolis BB title in 1956. And then became Mr. Indiana in 1960. He won some International titles that no one's ever heard of over the next few years but didn't become famous until Mission Impossible.
My wife found out, as of yesterday, that he is still alive, and still setting strong man records. He is listed by the Guinness book of World Records as the oldest man to bench press 300 pounds. As recently as 2007, at the age of 75, he lifted over 77,000 pounds in a series of reps in under 25 minutes. That's also a world record. He broke the old record, set by himself, at age 70.
For those who are curious, I'm posting the youtube video of the event. Notice that his friend Martin Landau, co-star from Mission Impossible, was there with him, rooting him on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5H7nd_5CPho&app=desktop
I went to the world's greatest search engine (my wife) to discover some details. Bodybuilding wasn't quite as big a deal then as it is now. Dave Draper appeared on the Beverly Hillbillies once, and some local California bodybuilders showed up on an episode of the Monkees and some teen beach movies now and then. But other than Charles Atlas ads in the comic books, that was about it.
Most of these guys were muscular but they were rarely very tall. And then you have Peter Lupus the 6 foot 4, 260 pound bodybuilder that showed up as Willie, for the IMF for CBS back in 1966. As a kid we all thought he was so cool.
But what had he accomplished in real life? He won the Mr. Indianapolis BB title in 1956. And then became Mr. Indiana in 1960. He won some International titles that no one's ever heard of over the next few years but didn't become famous until Mission Impossible.
My wife found out, as of yesterday, that he is still alive, and still setting strong man records. He is listed by the Guinness book of World Records as the oldest man to bench press 300 pounds. As recently as 2007, at the age of 75, he lifted over 77,000 pounds in a series of reps in under 25 minutes. That's also a world record. He broke the old record, set by himself, at age 70.
For those who are curious, I'm posting the youtube video of the event. Notice that his friend Martin Landau, co-star from Mission Impossible, was there with him, rooting him on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5H7nd_5CPho&app=desktop
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Notes
Piazza didn't make it. Biggio did.
Gopher's lost to Ohio State in OT at home last night. It hurts worse since it was a home game.
Jon Jones, the best UFC fighter in the world, tested positive for cocaine use. His status will take a hit with that one.
Mission Impossible, first season in HD, became available for $10 yesterday at iTunes. Needless to say, we started another marathon viewing session. A show way before its 1966 time.
Agent Carter got off to a fantastic start last night on ABC. It's great how Disney has integrated the whole Marvel Universe on TV and in movies, past and present. It's clear where Tony Stark got his brains and personality from, his dad Howard. Cliffhanger endings are a nice touch for a show rooted in the 40's.
Another major character death last night on Person of Interest. I'm bummed that they keep killing them, but at the same time amazed that network TV can produce such compelling television. The best thought last night? The resident genius does not like chess because the basic concept of the game is that some people are worth more than others, and that some (by default worth less) can be sacrificed to win the game.
Good stuff.
With vacation in full swing and blizzards raging outdoors for the next few days, more great TV viewing lies ahead...
Gopher's lost to Ohio State in OT at home last night. It hurts worse since it was a home game.
Jon Jones, the best UFC fighter in the world, tested positive for cocaine use. His status will take a hit with that one.
Mission Impossible, first season in HD, became available for $10 yesterday at iTunes. Needless to say, we started another marathon viewing session. A show way before its 1966 time.
Agent Carter got off to a fantastic start last night on ABC. It's great how Disney has integrated the whole Marvel Universe on TV and in movies, past and present. It's clear where Tony Stark got his brains and personality from, his dad Howard. Cliffhanger endings are a nice touch for a show rooted in the 40's.
Another major character death last night on Person of Interest. I'm bummed that they keep killing them, but at the same time amazed that network TV can produce such compelling television. The best thought last night? The resident genius does not like chess because the basic concept of the game is that some people are worth more than others, and that some (by default worth less) can be sacrificed to win the game.
Good stuff.
With vacation in full swing and blizzards raging outdoors for the next few days, more great TV viewing lies ahead...
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Hall of Fame
Randy Johnson, Pedro Matinez, and John Smoltz are expected to be named to the Hall today. People are wondering if Craig Biggio and Mike Piazza will also make it. There are a lot of great players that aren't getting in because baseball writers just don't feel the obligation.
The problem gets worse every year. The writers act like its their job to keep some players OUT. It's not. Some years there should be five or six. Biggio and Piazza are more than deserving. I'm guessing at least one of those two will not make it. And that will make it more difficult for them to get in next year.
That's a shame. Great numbers over long careers should guarantee you a place in the Hall of Fame. We're not talking average players here. The average writer doesn't know the game any more. And that's a bigger shame.
The problem gets worse every year. The writers act like its their job to keep some players OUT. It's not. Some years there should be five or six. Biggio and Piazza are more than deserving. I'm guessing at least one of those two will not make it. And that will make it more difficult for them to get in next year.
That's a shame. Great numbers over long careers should guarantee you a place in the Hall of Fame. We're not talking average players here. The average writer doesn't know the game any more. And that's a bigger shame.
The Call
I can't believe how much discussion was going on yesterday about the flag late in the game against Dallas that was originally called pass interference, and then ruled a no-call.
If you can have football players and officials explain why taking the flag up and not penalizing Dallas WAS the right call, that should be the end of it.
Even Detroit coach Caldwell is saying it was "tough to swallow." Let me get this straight, your team had LOTS of opportunities in that game against Dallas that your team failed to execute properly and you're now blaming an IFFY official judgement call for losing the game? Even if the call had went your way, you probably would have only TIED the game at that point. There's no guarantee you would have won.
It's not like the refs blew the call. The vast majority of fans and commentators who KNOW the game said it wasn't a penalty, and even watching in slow motion the evidence suggests that.
I love that the refs didn't let a phantom iffy call determine the game. They learned a lot since the Vikings were ripped off against New Orleans these many moons ago. THAT bad call literally lost the game for the Vikings, while they also allowed the bounty collecting headhunter Saints to hit Favre often and late time after time without flags.
Not making a call here WAS the right decision. There was light contact both ways and the ball was under thrown. There's a reason that the Lions haven't won a playoff game since 1992 and it's NOT the refs fault.
The Lions just aren't very good. Caldwell should look in the mirror and point his finger in THAT direction. That would be a good start.
A BAD ref call should be discussed. This one doesn't fit that classification.
If you can have football players and officials explain why taking the flag up and not penalizing Dallas WAS the right call, that should be the end of it.
Even Detroit coach Caldwell is saying it was "tough to swallow." Let me get this straight, your team had LOTS of opportunities in that game against Dallas that your team failed to execute properly and you're now blaming an IFFY official judgement call for losing the game? Even if the call had went your way, you probably would have only TIED the game at that point. There's no guarantee you would have won.
It's not like the refs blew the call. The vast majority of fans and commentators who KNOW the game said it wasn't a penalty, and even watching in slow motion the evidence suggests that.
I love that the refs didn't let a phantom iffy call determine the game. They learned a lot since the Vikings were ripped off against New Orleans these many moons ago. THAT bad call literally lost the game for the Vikings, while they also allowed the bounty collecting headhunter Saints to hit Favre often and late time after time without flags.
Not making a call here WAS the right decision. There was light contact both ways and the ball was under thrown. There's a reason that the Lions haven't won a playoff game since 1992 and it's NOT the refs fault.
The Lions just aren't very good. Caldwell should look in the mirror and point his finger in THAT direction. That would be a good start.
A BAD ref call should be discussed. This one doesn't fit that classification.
Monday, January 5, 2015
The NFL
That last game between the Lions and Cowboys was the only game of the weekend worth watching. I found myself rooting for Detroit early despite my attitude toward Suh. I came to my senses by the second half and thoroughly enjoyed the Cowboys comeback.
I wasn't really impressed by any team or quarterback this weekend, but If I had to pick a quarterback from the group to represent my team right now it would be Joe Flacco. Andrew Luck was solid, but he sure missed a lot of easy passes.
The better games and QBs should be on display this coming weekend.
I wasn't really impressed by any team or quarterback this weekend, but If I had to pick a quarterback from the group to represent my team right now it would be Joe Flacco. Andrew Luck was solid, but he sure missed a lot of easy passes.
The better games and QBs should be on display this coming weekend.
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