- 06:16 AM
- 11/22/09
Way to go Ron!
posted by dyams at 09:46 PM on November 18
I find it charming
such a lovely way of expressing his feelings
Sounds like the moment would make a nice Norman Rockwell painting.
posted by dyams at 05:49 PM on November 18
Greinke was fantastic, and keeping his head up and producing without a lot of run support in KC is awesome. I targeted Greinke early in my fantasy drafts this past year and was overjoyed I did. He pitched his ass off and lost (or received no-decisions) in many well-pitched games. I'm glad he has the award.
posted by dyams at 05:09 PM on November 18
I agree with TheQatarian about Scioscia and the Angels. While Adenhart's death was terrible, he had a great team regardless. Losing a teammate is awfully hard to get over, but on the field, Adenhart wasn't exactly a pitcher they were counting on for 20 wins. He was a talented you player. He'd only pitched 12 major league innings prior to this past season. His death occurred on April 9, roughly one week into the season, so the team had the rest of the (long) season to regroup and move on. Scioscia's teams have won the AL West 5 out of the past 6 seasons. Gardenhire got the Twins into the playoffs without one of baseball's best players down the stretch (Morneau), and with a questionable pitching staff. Good manager, but I don't see him as the ALs best this past year. It's almost like they're giving the Angels a consolation prize because they didn't win the World Series and complete the storybook ending it would have been had they won after Adenhart's death.
posted by dyams at 05:02 PM on November 18
Can you give me the names, ages, and backgrounds of these 63,000 people in Buffalo? Are they standing in the owners box, the top person in the structure of the NFL team?
The fact some think this is cute says something about the erosion of common decency and respect in this day and age.
posted by dyams at 06:09 AM on November 18
Class is overrated. And, this was fun. No one (but his wallet) was hurt by it. If you can't buck convention at 86 when you are millionaire, when can you?
The fact he's old, a millionaire, and acts like this makes it all the more embarrassing. And I guess it's not even a question of class. Just a little respect for humans to understand you don't stand in front of 63,000 people and tell the visiting team, Fuck You.
posted by dyams at 07:27 PM on November 17
I was only surprised because I figured the Bills would wait until the end of their pathetic season and then dump their entire coaching staff.
posted by dyams at 07:01 PM on November 17
That was awesome.
Awesome? All this proved was money can't buy class. And that age doesn't buy maturity. Bills owner Ralph Wilson is older than Adams, and he'd never make himself look like such a dick. The guy has respect for the game, the players, the fans, and other owners, which is something Bud obviously didn't grasp in his eight-and-a-half decades on earth.
posted by dyams at 06:06 PM on November 16
It was the wrong call by Belichick, with hindsight in everyone's favor after the fact. Punting probably would be the smart call, even though Manning, with that much time left and three time outs at his disposal, could cover the entire field practically with his eyes closed. Yes I do think Belichick felt they couldn't stop Manning. Or Reggie Wayne. But I'm certainly not someone who is in a position to second-guess someone like Bill Belichick. His success in the NFL, along with his championships, show me enough to easily give him a pass on this one. He's the guy who has to make the final call, at that moment, in front of the world. It didn't work. I'm sure armchair quarterbacks like us are debating it way, WAY more than Bill Belichick is at this moment. He doesn't have the luxury of fixating on a game that's over. Plus, as was mentioned a few times above, if they convert that fourth down, he's seen as a genius one more time (for about the 752,000 time in his coaching career).
posted by dyams at 05:58 PM on November 16
Cool link. but it shows you just how much society's attitudes have changed since then. Ellis being totally fucked up leading up to the game, getting to the ball park, and while he pitched, even using "greenies" at the same time (along with saying how rampant use of those drugs were at the time) is seen as charming and cute to many now. Can you imagine the fallout from this type of thing were it to happen and be exposed in 2009? A pitcher that can't even see, basically hallucinating on the mound, throwing fastballs at opposing batters? Roughly 40 years later we say, "Far out, man!" Maybe that's how people will respond to steroids stories in 2045.
posted by dyams at 08:14 AM on November 14
Russell was a dominating champion, and Dr. J was the originator of the above-the-rim game. LeBron is a great talent, but he'll make his name and legend off fans who want to ignore pro basketball prior to MJ.
posted by dyams at 07:06 PM on November 13
It's obviously the exact reason they were looking to pick up Matt Cassel during the offseason and dump Cutler. Between his shitty attitude, overinflated opinion of himself and his talent, and poor performance, Cassel probably would have been a huge improvement.
posted by dyams at 07:03 PM on November 13
Cutler made an ass of himself all throughout the offseason, acting like a spoiled little bitch, and now karma is biting him in the ass. The guy couldn't wait to get out of Denver, and like the old saying goes, Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.
posted by dyams at 05:56 PM on November 13
It's a hell of an opportunity to sell a bunch of Cavalier #6 jerseys.
It reeks of an out and out merchandising ploy.
I totally agree with these statements. LeBron wouldn't do anything that didn't benefit him is his wallet.
I also truly think he realizes he'll probably never be seen as the greatest #23 in the history of the game. Jordan will always be why 23 is remembered in basketball. He should have chosen a different number when he started his NBA career. But why he'd choose #6 is beyond me also. Out of every choice, it seems he'd pick out a number that would only be thought of as LeBron's number in the future.
posted by dyams at 05:50 PM on November 13
Michael Bourn just won a Gold Glove in the NL. Fast, good on the bases, but not even close to the top offensive outfielders in the NL.
posted by dyams at 04:23 PM on November 11
does anyone ever get a gold glove if they do not also have the offensive numbers to get the attention?
I don't know, Omar Vizquel and Adrian Beltre were both good offensive producers when they were winning back to back Gold Gloves recently, but they were not even close to being near the top offensively at their positions. But I do see your point, the majority of the time it seems the top hitters get the credit for being spectacular with their gloves. I guess it's because lineups are generally filled with the guys who can hit, not just field.
posted by dyams at 03:14 PM on November 11
There are better gloves in baseball, and those with better range. When it comes to a shortstop who is smart, aware of what's going on every play, and puts himself in the right position to make big play though, Jeter is unmatched.
Having Teixeira at first base this year didn't hurt either.
posted by dyams at 08:48 AM on November 11
The Patriots' helmet is plastered with their logo, which comes dangerously close to looking like a wind-swept John Kerry dressed up like a Minute Man.
It does look like John Kerry!
I like the Bucs helmet as it is now. Get close up to it and see how the gold helmet shines under the sun (and I like the logo much better than their original) and you get a new appreciation for it.
posted by dyams at 05:22 PM on November 10
The AL Gold Glove team was announced today. I'm waiting for the post to appear on this site and the Jeter bashing to begin.
posted by dyams at 05:18 PM on November 10
The new Buc uniforms are some of the only updated ones I actually like better than the throwbacks. The gold helmets they use now, with the flag, skull, and swords, is much better than the old Pirate logo, who reminded me more of a local theatre actor in costume. Also, although orange is my favorite color, the old Tampa uniforms just remind me of losing and futility, for the most part.
posted by dyams at 04:19 PM on November 09
The faults with your reasoning are so blatantly obvious and have been discussed and linked to so many times here that I have trouble believing you're serious.
I'm not really serious, just sick of the ridiculous ways people from all walks of life, Congress included, get involved with this same, tired Yankee-bashing shit. It's old and the fact baseball doesn't want to do anything about it makes me say all the more, "Get over it."
Ahem, the Reds haven't been in the World Series for nineteen. The Rangers...never? Brewers? Playoffs? Nope
Maybe the organizations of the above-mentioned teams are poor at putting together their teams. My point is that many teams, the Rays being the best example, recognize talent and build contending teams on limited money. Same with Florida. They build up a team, tear it apart (by choice), then, a few years later, rise back to the top. They dump veterans but get talent in return. Like the way they do things or not, they generally meet with decent success. Pirates fans know they can't compete economically with the top grossing teams, but their fans know their management doesn't recognize young talent.
I understand the concerns when it comes to the money thing, believe me. My only real issue is when people want to use that as the one and only reason specific teams never contend or improve. And money is also no guarantee teams that have the resources will win it all either.
posted by dyams at 09:58 AM on November 08
The poor Red Sox. They've been trying to compete with so little finances throughout the years, it's criminal. I can't wait until baseball does more to allow teams like the Sox to compete fairly. Never mind that the Phillies, Sox, Cardinals, White Sox, Marlins, Angels, and Diamondbacks have won championships this decade, and the Rays, Rockies, Tigers, Astros, and Giants have been in the World Series in the past few years too. It's those damn Yankees that are ruining baseball! Baseball has a huge problem on it's hands because the Yankees are winning the World Series every year. Wait, no, that's not quite right. I mean the Yankees are at least IN the World Series every year. Oh, no, that's not right either.
All this arguing about how the Yankees are dominating baseball in an unfair manner, and the fact remains they haven't even been in the World Series in nine years. Major League Baseball in making a lot of money, and quite a few different teams are winning championships the past several years. This is the reason Major League Baseball isn't going to change the way it operates.
posted by dyams at 01:19 AM on November 08
They didn't spend money on Sabathia thinking they didn't need a 4th starter.
I doubt the Yankees were thinking they didn't need a 4th starter during the regular season, but this is the World Series. I see nothing wrong with wanting your ace to give you as much as he can. Sabathia wants the same thing, telling Girardi he's ready as much as he needs him. The year the Diamondbacks won the Series they leaned on the two studs they brought in, Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling. That won them a championship. You're right about Wang, and Chamberlain has been a disappointment, but don't think the Phillies won't get criticism if their move with Blanton doesn't pay off.
posted by dyams at 05:32 PM on November 01
200 million apparently doesn't buy a 4th starter
The Yankees spent money on Sabathia, a huge, workhorse pitcher who can handle the load. They're paying the guy to pitch. They didn't sign him to a gigantic contract to watch Chad Gaudin pitch in a road World Series game they want to win badly.
posted by dyams at 03:31 PM on November 01
You can teach the Cobra's big lunkheaded defender to go get the ball, just don't confuse him by expecting him to realize who's on his team and who's the opponent. Baby steps.
posted by dyams at 02:28 PM on November 01
That was a big comeback in the whole scheme of things. Yanks lose that game, the Series is entirely different today. I'm a bit surprised the Phillies are going with Blanton instead of Lee (even though I don't know how effective Lee has been on short rest in his career). It sounds like hype, but every single game, regardless of who is in the lead, game-wise, is huge. If the Phillies come out with a win tonight, thus beating Sabathia twice already (and with Lee pitching game 5), the momentum swings again, big-time. Was glad to see Swisher start to hit the ball hard. Maybe sitting a game did him good.
posted by dyams at 11:31 AM on November 01
Like was discussed on ESPN this morning, baseball umpires refusing to use replay is making them look foolish, and I'm not just talking about the calls from last night. We're living in the age of high definition television and scoreboards, where every single person in the stadium, as well as every person watching the game around the world, see replays from all angles instantly, in many cases proving the call the umpires make was wrong. Why should the guys in charge be the only ones not able to utilize today's technology to try to make sure the calls are correct? It just makes the umpires look foolish, and will wind up costing teams a championship in the future.
As for last night's game, Burnett showed when he doesn't walk (or hit) batters at an alarming rate, he's one of the toughest pitchers in baseball. As for the Yankees not hitting, all I can say is the series is tied 1-1. How it got there is irrelevant. Lee was outstanding, and Pedro was damn good. Sabathia struggled with location, but it's not like he was destroyed. It's just excellent pitching by some of the top pitchers in the game. Anyone who thinks Pedro can't still win in this league is crazy. Health permitting, he's competitive and smart enough to beat most teams in baseball any day. His quick-pitch to Jeter, striking him out with a pitch right down the middle, was brilliant. Not many pitchers can pull the wool over Jeter's eyes like that.
posted by dyams at 05:49 PM on October 30
It's funny how several months ago everyone, the Phillies included, were after Roy Halladay. It seemed like teams were going to be ruined if they didn't bring him onboard for a run at the pennant and/or World Series. Back then, when Philadelphia ended up with Lee, it was almost looked upon s a consolation prize. As soon as he came over from Cleveland, though, it showed from his first start the Phillies had acquired a tremendous pitcher. Lee showed last night how fantastic, and underrated for the most-part, he is. I've never seen a pitcher so cool on the mound, so in command of every pitch, as Lee was last night. After that first inning, I honestly felt the Yankees had no hope of winning that game.
posted by dyams at 10:57 AM on October 29
On the other hand, isn't it a sort of technological darwinism? Survival of the fittest means mentally fit as well.
That's a great theory, but one of the best things many people had going for them for centuries was the ability to cool off and think things through before they ever had to consider exposing their every thought and word to millions of people. That's gone out the window. People like Larry Johnson can now go on a temper-fueled rant instantly before anyone can save him, or he can save himself. Kinda like dviking said above.
posted by dyams at 06:44 PM on October 28
I think the majority of the population would tweet differently than they would write up a formal apology.
So you actually believe Johnson comes up with the idea of apologizing, then writes his own public apology? I gotta say, I seriously doubt that. I tend to think the agent probably had to jump down Johnson's throat, let him know how close he is to blowing any career he has left, advise him to keep his dumb-ass mouth shut, then write a correct apology for his client, thus doing damage control. Now that word comes Kansas City will probably cut Johnson, it's probably too late.
This "tweeting" bullshit has to be the nightmare of anyone having to represent clowns like Johnson. They can't edit and run interference for guys who can shoot off their mouths on sites such as that whenever they feel the need.
posted by dyams at 04:43 PM on October 28
I always look forward in this day and age to when athletes such as Johnson utilize one of these web-based sites to speak out, where nobody is there to help them , and they come across like absolute idiots. Then, after the damage is done, they make some perfectly phrased apology, which goes to show their agent has probably had to tell them to shut their uneducated mouths before they do any more harm to their already-finished (in Johnson's case) career and let them (their agent) put out a comment they will attempt to attribute to the stupid athlete.
posted by dyams at 07:12 AM on October 28
McGwire will probably also act as the team's strength coach. His program seems to show results.
posted by dyams at 07:29 AM on October 26
The FOX baseball pregame hosts surprise me. Are they so intent on finding something slightly controversial to say that they don't think things out, and believe fans don't think things out either? They had this big idea the Yankees were making a huge mistake not starting Sabathia in last night's game 6, saying they had to win it now and not take a chance going to a game 7. How would that benefit the Yankees? Tell Pettitte they don't have enough confidence in him to win this game? Give the Angels a possible chance of gaining HUGE momentum by beating the Yanks' ace prior to a game 7? This call (using Pettitte) was a no-brainer, and paid off for New York. They wrapped up the pennant, didn't panic and go to Sabathia, and now have him ready to start the first game of the World Series. The idea these so-called "experts" couldn't figure this out only reinforces the reason I generally don't watch these stupid shows.
posted by dyams at 07:27 AM on October 26
I'm sure his coaching approach towards helping hitters will be for them to focus on the present at-bat and not think about the past.
posted by dyams at 12:25 AM on October 26
but Florida got hit harder by the recession than most states
There's no place in the country that is constantly dealing with economy issues than Buffalo and western New York (even before the recent collapse), yet their stadium (80,000 capacity) is practically always sold out and full, in all kinds of weather, even with a overall-poor team. But the Bills continue to be mentioned as either moving or being lured away by other cities (mainly Toronto). The Buffalo area is one that has supported this team year in, year out for decades. If the NFL allows the franchise to leave this area, then they can basically take their entire product and shove it straight up their asses.
posted by dyams at 11:14 AM on October 25
I'm getting so sick of Los Angeles getting shoved down the NFLs throat. Bring the Raiders back for a few years, then send them to Oakland, then send them to Los Angeles, then send them to Oakland.....
Realistically, Jacksonville has already given up on the Jaguars. Let LA take a shot with them before football leaves LA again down the road.
posted by dyams at 10:22 PM on October 24
Burger King Whoppers vs Smart Gilas is one of the biggest rivalries in sports.
What bothers me is I missed the game. Must have been on PPV.
Yeah, ESPN did a great job all week handling the hoopla and media frenzy leading up to the game. The Philippine Basketball Association should be getting a major network deal soon, so hopefully we won't have to miss these matchups much longer.
posted by dyams at 02:44 PM on October 24
So the Lakers' bench came up with a new tradition.
That's embarrassing. Good thing Kobe is on the court when these antics take place, because I don't see him playing along (kinda like the guy on the end of the bench who wasn't really with it).
posted by dyams at 02:40 PM on October 24
I was thinking the Bears would possibly try to swing a deal with Owens, at least for the remainder of the year. The Bears have some athletic talent at receiver right now, but are still lacking something. Cutler is the type of quarterback that might be able to utilize Owens. I'm not saying he'll ever be dominant, but Owens needs to be able to play for a team that can devise ways to get the ball in his hands. The Bills are not that team, and I'm not ready to completely write off T.O. due to issues with them. Trent Edwards stinks. He could probably be a decent backup for a team, but as a starter, forget it. Even when he gets time to throw, he seems to wait for a receiver to find separation from a defender that just isn't going to be there. I'd like him to at least get to a point where he'll be confident in putting the ball to a spot that may give someone like Owens a chance to make a play.
posted by dyams at 02:37 PM on October 24
"Buffalo will make you hit a wall [in your career]. People thought Randy Moss(notes) hit a wall, too, didn't they? How motivated is [Owens] to play in Buffalo? How excited is he about the offense? They just canned the no-huddle [stuff] because it wasn't working. They're not finding creative ways to get him the football, either."
As someone living in western New York, I can say beyond any doubt, the Bills offense is horrible (not that you have to live around here to realize this fact). Their defense is OK, but offensively, they're absolutely awful. The writing was on the wall right before the season started when the team got rid of both starting tackles. Their coaching stinks, they already canned their offensive coordinator earlier in the season, and Jauron is most likely coaching out the season because the team is too cheap to dump him and have to pay him what they still owe him while having to bring in a new head coach. As mentioned above, I think Owens could be decent still, but only in the absolute right situation. And motivation is the key with him. If T.O. is motivated, and the team he's on is playing competitive, (often) winning football, he'll produce. Not as a number 1 guy anymore, but he could definitely be an contributor somewhere. Will he get that chance? More than likely, but not if his money demands are too great.
posted by dyams at 11:50 AM on October 24
"I believe that anywhere in life, any job, you're not going to have chemistry if you don't have success." -- manager Ozzie Guillen
I've never argued that point. I totally agree. Who gives a shit about the chemistry of a losing team. They're losers. It doesn't matter. My comments were about teams that win (not necessarily win it all, but win more than they lose). Most teams that are huge losers don't have any great chemistry, thus they're losers. As for the guys going out to dinner together, as Torre's quote mentions, that's not what I'm proposing as a measure of team chemistry.
Anyways, this subject has been beat to death. I believe winners achieve positive team chemistry, others don't believe in it. So be it.
posted by dyams at 05:17 PM on October 23
The kind of argument that a player in the major league trenches is closer to the influence that chemistry has in those trenches than someone who is not. How is that point not relevant?
Thank you.
Me saying rcade never played baseball isn't a personal attack. Justgary tries to cut me off from my opinion because I can't offer team chemistry statistics. So I attempted to provide some examples of how guys actually playing in the major leagues, the ones we're talking about, think about this same topic. I realize many who post on this site have become touchy when another person throws out the "You never played the game" argument, but this wasn't a case of that. I'm merely trying to point out that on any given year, the team chemistry issue is what can push talented baseball players (or other athletes) over the top. It speaks to the mental aspect of professional sports which I think gets overlooked by many who want to only look at numbers and big contracts.
posted by dyams at 05:52 AM on October 23
Fine. You think it's bullshit. Major league players believe in it. Paul Azinger talked about team chemistry non-stop when building and trying to win with the Ryder Cup team he captained. But since rcade thinks it's bullshit, so be it. I'm lobbing weak stuff over the plate. Azinger builds a team lacking the greatest golfer in the history of the game based, for several captains picks especially, on chemistry. I'm sure he's lobbing weak stuff, too.
I don't offer enough stats and justgary puffs out his chest and tells me not to bother. I offer the views of some major league players, rcade claims I'm lobbing weak stuff. Like is so common on this site, the views of about 5 individuals carry all the weight, and they pile on anyone else who dares disagree or offer a different viewpoint than any one of them.
posted by dyams at 11:27 PM on October 22
But do you ever hear a losing team talk about how they did poorly in spite of their great chemistry?
No. It's about how great chemistry results in winning.
I think chemistry is 99 44/100ths percent bullshit, myself.
And you're not playing major league baseball. It's the mental aspect of success and winning that the perceived "great chemistry" impacts that is important. The thing that annoys me about this part of the discussion is how people seem to want to ignore the importance of the mental aspect of winning, even with highly-paid baseball players.
posted by dyams at 10:44 PM on October 22
From the Tampa Bay Rays website following their run from last season:
Athletes are prone to pooh-pooh the notion of club chemistry in the belief that talent is the essential ingredient for success. Last year's version of the Rays possessed a marvelous chemistry even though it came up short on paper when compared to the talent on this year's team. Inside Tampa Bay's clubhouse, there are now more believers about the importance of team chemistry.
"I hate to admit it, but chemistry is a big deal," Carl Crawford said. "Last year it was. Nobody had a big season except for the pitchers. But we still won games. It might be more important than some people think. I think it was big for us."
Crawford said he had never been around a team that had as much chemistry as last year's club.
"That showed me how much of a difference it can make as far as the importance of playing and how a team does," Crawford said.
Shields believes chemistry is "huge."
"No matter how good of a team you have, the chemistry has to be there, I think," Shields said. "You look at the Yankees' team last year. On paper, they had a great team, and they didn't make the playoffs. Chemistry has a lot to do with it."
Howell went so far as to say "it's all chemistry."
"It's 70 percent chemistry, 30 percent talent," Howell said. "Look at the Yankees right now. They're clowning around more than us and they're older. It's just how tight you are as a core. If chemistry's not there, there's no way you can do it."
Even though this year's team did not make the playoffs, Howell said the group didn't have bad chemistry, but...
"It needed to be better," Howell said. "It wasn't bad, but it could be better. That definitely could be a factor for why things happened for us the way they did this season."
posted by dyams at 09:30 PM on October 22
The '98 Orioles had Belle, the highest paid player in the game. They had the highest payroll in baseball. They finished 35 games back in the standings. So a team with the highest payroll in the game, with Belle, Palmiero, Alomar, Ripken, Brady Anderson, Eric Davis, etc. can do no better than 35 games back? Didn't sound to me like a team too short on talent, even if their pitching wasn't world class. The Yankees spend more than any other team this season and everyone feels it's just a matter of taking the field and getting to the post season and World Series, while the rest of the league gets trampled by them. The Orioles make a splash, adding the biggest free agent there was at that time, and finish 35 games back? Maybe the highest team payroll doesn't guarantee winning.
posted by dyams at 09:06 PM on October 22
I'd say that team chemistry has almost nothing to do with the Yankees success
All athletes are so strong-minded, centered, and have such a handle on things that all they have to do is sign for lots of money and everything comes together! They get along with everyone, hit everything out of the park, become fantastic teammates, you name it. Money takes care of everything.
Yeah, right. Find me a manager or coach in any sport that believes that and get back to me.
What is needed is 2 or 3 years where the big spenders completely dominate the competition to drive the point home.
Prove what point? That the Yankees spend a lot of money to win (maybe) one World Series since the beginning of the decade? You want teams other than the Yankees to win, and that's been happening. The Rays went to the World Series, out of the AL East, last year, getting past the Yankees and Red Sox, with a low team payroll. But you seem intent to make some sort of point that every single team can't compete? In what sport can every single team compete? There are pathetic franchises in every sport. The Pirates? They have a horrible baseball scouting system that evaluates talent poorly. If you don't know decent talent, you'll never be successful even if there's a salary cap. The Baltimore Orioles were free-spenders several years ago, but they found out handing big money to just any free agent (ex. Albert Belle), doesn't work. He's a dick. The team hated him, the city hated him, and he hated everyone.
But team chemistry doesn't matter.
posted by dyams at 05:08 PM on October 22
Yeah, exactly.
No, I guess I'm swinging more towards your way of thinking that these guys are just robots with big bank accounts. Pay them money and they'll hit the most home runs.
No room to think of them as actual human beings.
posted by dyams at 08:48 PM on October 21
Team chemistry doesn't hit home runs, it doesn't throw strike outs.
Where in past years A-Rod was being bashed and criticized, even among his own teammates, and this year he has made it a point to enjoy himself, be involved with the others, and show some genuine enthusiasm, in my mind, has as much to do with him loosening up and producing this postseason as anything else. A-Rod has always been a tremendous talent, but being with a roster of guys that all like each other, have fun, and get along isn't something that's reserved just for little leaguers. It makes a difference in any sport. Sports is as much mental as anything else, and believing paying a guy a huge contract will always mean production is way too simplistic thinking. Same thing with Sabathia. He's not just any free agent, and he's more than a gigantic contract. He is a guy who supports his teammates. He sits in the dugout with everyone else between starts, where in the past, guys like Roger Clemens, a huge talent, only wanted to be around when he pitched. Don't tell me that didn't have an effect on the other players. Just because these guys are millionaires doesn't make them impervious to mental aspects of performance and competition.
posted by dyams at 08:19 PM on October 21
So the last several years with regards to the Yankees, it's been "You can't buy a championship." This season, it's "Of course they are buying a championship." Last year it was, "The Yankees are stupid for not signing Johan Santana and keeping Phil Hughes." This year it's no big deal they kept Phil Hughes because it's all about the other free agents they signed. Face it, the Yanks make money, they spend money. The Red Sox are major players in practically all free agents that come along, too. The Sox have been sending their homegrown players away in an attempt to pick up other players, finding success with some, not so much with others. Dice-K's signing is beginning to look like a hell of a lot of money for a mediocre pitcher. Fact is, the Yankees haven't won in years, so don't bash them for having one year where things are falling into place. Other teams have figured they can compete with them, and I truly believe you need a team such as the Yanks in baseball to keep the interest up. Everyone always chants for "parity," but when they finally get it, they don't like it. This money thing can be overrated when it still boils down to team chemistry. The Yankees of this season get along fantastically, something that has been missing in past seasons, and history shows you can't just bring in the highest-paid free agents and expect success without having guys who will get along together.
As for who can stop the Yanks, the umpiring I've seen in the playoffs, last night especially with McClelland, can potentially stop any team. Some of these calls are pathetic, and rather than rant about the need for instant replay, fly in another umpire to take the place of these guys who can't make fairly simple calls. What is there, a shortage of umpires now or something? McClelland's call on the ball Swisher tagged up on was ridiculous, only overshadowed by his complete screwing up of the play where two runners were tagged out at third base. These guys are either incompetent or choking under the pressure of the game itself.
posted by dyams at 05:23 PM on October 21
I wish we'd drop the anthem and just sing this instead to open sports events.
That would be fine. But having this, in addition to the national anthem prior to the game, is too much. I'd rather listen to the organ play "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch (or, since it's Yankee Stadium, why not play Bernie Williams' rendition he does with his band). Pretty soon we'll have "The Star Spangled Banner" before the game, "American The Beautiful" after the third inning, and "God Bless America" in the middle of the seventh.
posted by dyams at 04:36 PM on October 17
There's just no room for error and I'm not so sure the punishment fits the crime.
I agree that there is no room for error, and the punishment is harsh, but that's the way the world we live in works. Even though I'm not famous, I would never (hopefully) make a comment that is offensive to Jewish people, blacks, etc. because I'm afraid, even if done so in an attempt to be humorous, a few (or many) people would look upon me unfavorably. Tynan could have made this comment to any number of others and they probably would have chuckled or blown it off. This person didn't. People who have gained a certain amount of fame can't pick and choose times when they want a lot of attention versus times they want none at all. I'm sure this woman WAS only doing this because Tynan was well-known. But a comment such as this one brings into question just how many other times Tynan may have made insensitive or anti-Semitic remarks.
As for "God Bless America," that song stirred up a great deal of pride back in 2001 and 2002 or so, but in 2009 the meaning is being lost. Economy in shambles, jobs lost, health care issues, and close to 5,000 U.S. soldiers dead in a military movement the majority of people still don't understand or know what the objective is, not to mention a country that's still got a giant terrorist target on it, it is evident someone needs to have the guts to pull the plug on it. Stop thinking people standing up in the middle of the seventh inning of a baseball game equates to some tremendous showing of national pride.
posted by dyams at 02:06 PM on October 17
Simple call by the Yankees. They had to choose between cutting ties with a singer of a fairly played-out song or risk being ridiculed by the large Jewish population of New York City (and elsewhere)? No brainer for the organization. Tynan wants to be in the public eye as a singer during some of the biggest sporting events going, in Yankee Stadium, he has to deal with what comes with it, especially when making off-the-cuff comments that aren't humorous to begin with.
They'll probably dust Tynan off after the U.S. attempts to recover from the next horrific terrorist attack, which if history is any indicator, shouldn't be too far off.
posted by dyams at 11:24 AM on October 17
I can see the Browns getting absolutely jack-shit for Quinn, should they deal him. The guy fell low in the draft (from where he was expected to go), and has proven nothing to this point (even though he's trying to "prove" something on a terrible team that has been saddled with poor, overrated head coaches). If they get a third-round pick, they'd probably be doing well.
posted by dyams at 04:27 PM on October 14
Sox lose it with poor hitting, then Papelbon implodes......beautiful!
posted by dyams at 08:27 PM on October 11
does the y in y.e. yang stand for ying?
Close. Yong. Why they wouldn't name him Ying is beyond me. No guts.
posted by dyams at 12:01 PM on October 11
For a vast majority of the regulation part of the Yankees/Twins extra-inning game last night, I thought the home plate umpire was terrible. Even without the "strike zone" feature the network uses to show pitch locations, he was inconsistent. His strike zone was all over the place, and he had no concept of pitches actually having to cross the outside corner of the plate. I realize this isn't an isolated incident with regards to MLB, but an umpire this inconsistent can really impact the outcome of innings (and games).
That being said, the game itself was extremely entertaining and exciting. The Twins played a great game, except for a baserunning blunder at second. They are a really fine fielding team, and having not watched them much this past season, I do feel bad they don't have Morneau in this series. It's impacting how pitchers are going after Mauer.
posted by dyams at 09:35 AM on October 10
I'm not even sure Leyland will play Cabrera after the shit the guy pulled this past weekend. Honestly, being shitfaced all weekend when the team is struggling to get into the playoffs, and not getting a hit? Leyland looked pretty freakin' pissed at his press conference after the game, and I really don't know how he'll respond. Cabrera's a great hitter, but it sounds like he needs some serious help.
posted by dyams at 05:27 PM on October 05
Titans Owner Bud Adams Flips Off the Bills
The reason I asked if you had the names, ages, and backgrounds of "63,000 people in Buffalo" who disrespect people or groups by making a gesture to tell the "Fuck You" is to make the points that:
1. 63,000 is a HUGE generalization, not just a generalization. I have a pretty good idea only a very small percentage of fans at any given NFL game, Buffalo included, are abusive or disrespectful to other fans or athletes.
2. In this particular situation, we do have the name, age, and background of the person who was so disrespectful. He's Bud Adams, 86, the owner of the professional football team who was hosting the event. His actions cross the line of acceptable behavior for the top representative of the organization. He has a responsibility to the league to control such emotions in public.
3. The small percentage of "63,000 people in Buffalo" who do act this way could be, for all you know, could include a 28 year old problem drinker who just spent the previous night in jail for public intoxication and has been arrested numerous times for his actions. These types of actions are practically unavoidable from certain, small segments of a crowd of 80,000 people, be it at a football game, concert, etc.
The point I made about "the erosion of common decency and respect in this day and age" is really meant to point out that if the people in influential, respected positions in society, such as Adams, think it's appropriate to make such disrespectful gestures whenever it suits him, then it is a problem. Hopefully we don't see Obama making such gestures on overseas visits whenever he feels the need.
I only gave three reasons, but Goodell gave 250,000.