- 06:30 AM
- 04/20/24
Peter Gammons wants to add ANOTHER two teams to MLB playoffs.
posted by inigo2 at 09:01 AM on September 23, 2009
To support jags's attendance statements, here's the 2008 attendance numbers. Though, not sure I put 100% faith in those numbers, considering they have Denver and SF at 0% home attendance.
posted by inigo2 at 08:03 AM on September 23, 2009
Considering that Favre has addressed his past pill problems a long, long time ago, why would the NFL put a spotlight on a past issue?
Huh? Focusing on a player that plays every single week wouldn't put a spotlight on playing with pain?
posted by inigo2 at 05:17 PM on September 22, 2009
owlhouse, they could treat that like they do a last second shot in basketball.
So if it hits the ground, it doesn't count? And if the goalie tips it, but then it goes in anyway? What if the goalie tips it into another defender and then it goes in? Or tips it into an offensive player?
Not quite as simple as basketball.
posted by inigo2 at 10:36 AM on September 22, 2009
And, for what it's worth, one of the fellows at UnprofessionalFoul.com (great soccer blog) did a bit of a writeup about that game; despite being a Liverpool fan, he thinks the timing was done correctly.
posted by inigo2 at 09:08 AM on September 22, 2009
Perhaps, but has the iron man record in football gotten even 1/1,000th as much hype as the one in baseball? That seems off to me.
I also think there's been a little bit of emphasis/stories of late about football players essentially forced to play despite somewhat serious injuries, and the impact that sort of thing has on them later in life. So for the NFL to really celebrate a record like this, it could focus the spotlight in places it doesn't want it. (Including, for instance, Favre's early career painkiller addiction.)
posted by inigo2 at 03:42 PM on September 21, 2009
While I agree that I don't want to hear refs whining at all, I don't think she's simply saying "refs travel a lot, so they deserve more money." She's saying "refs travel a lot, so they deserve more money than office employees and administrative staff who aren't always on the road". And I'm not sure I really disagree with that, personally.
"The NBA has repeatedly stated that their goal this year is to bring the referees compensation and benefits more in line with the rest of the NBA office employees and its administrative staff. But referees are not office and administrative staff."
posted by inigo2 at 03:36 PM on September 21, 2009
I hear Kanye was at Partrick Swayze's funeral. He came up on stage and said Micheal jacksons funeral was better.
posted by inigo2 at 03:22 PM on September 18, 2009
I'm not sure where I saw this originally (possibly here), but check out 1:50 of this video. Can you imagine showing up ticket-in-hand, to THAT??
posted by inigo2 at 02:47 PM on September 18, 2009
The second part of his statement is fine.
But there's no chance they're making the playoffs. Especially now that Posluszny is out (again) for up to 6 games. Therefore, it's stupid.
And actually, as for the 2nd part of the statement, "ignorant"? What are they ignorant of, that McKelvin should've gone down instead of pushing for that extra yard? Not condoning what they did, just think their action was simply dumb, not "ignorant". But now I suppose I'm picking nits.
posted by inigo2 at 11:49 AM on September 18, 2009
Colombia.
For what it's worth, the kids turned themselves in, and McKelvin forgave them. And shockingly, TO seized the opportunity to say something stupid.
posted by inigo2 at 08:32 AM on September 17, 2009
He just celebrated in the wrong location and that was enough.
I think you're simplifying a bit. He sprinted the length of the field specifically to taunt the opposing fans. Obviously the fans that started throwing stuff and trying to get to the field were very, very wrong, and yes, behaved worse than him. But to say he didn't really do anything is a bit of a stretch, I think.
posted by inigo2 at 03:49 PM on September 14, 2009
I second JJ's sentiments.
posted by inigo2 at 01:44 PM on September 14, 2009
My opinion if a player breaks a contract then there should be long term penalties
But teams can still cut them and cancel the contract when it works out for them, right?
posted by inigo2 at 12:53 PM on September 11, 2009
I think it died when the slowest man in baseball (Sid Bream) beat out a throw from Bonds at home
Luckily Bonds got a lot stronger in the years following that event.
posted by inigo2 at 02:30 PM on September 09, 2009
This is a few months back but here you go inigo, I hope this helps.
I'm not doubting that they turn a profit, just the fact that they're one of the most profitable teams in sports. I just don't see that (speaking as a former, albeit temporary, yinzer).
Anyways, not a big deal. I agree that (a) the owners suck, (b) they won't sell because they are making profit, and (c) Mark Cuban was interested in buying the team, at a premium I'm sure, and was turned down (because of b).
posted by inigo2 at 01:42 PM on September 08, 2009
At the same time, they are also one of the most profitable teams in all of sports.
They are one of the most profitable teams in sports. Thats why ownership is ok with sucking.
Is this statement true? I can't find (in a quick search) any numbers that would back it up.
posted by inigo2 at 10:45 AM on September 08, 2009
In regard to the negative labeling of those that don't agree with us, I think the Nazi's had a pretty firm grasp of that, too. It's a shame it still persists today in supposedly "enlightened" individuals.
So...don't call a spade a spade, and don't call a racist statement with a lot of history a racist statement, and definitely don't call a racist a racist. Because labeling them is "unenlightened".
posted by inigo2 at 09:15 AM on September 03, 2009
I didn't realize 7 innings constituted a perfect game. I always thought it was the full 9.
That's right. It was just a bid for a perfect game.
posted by inigo2 at 10:49 AM on September 01, 2009
No, no, that's ridiculous.
It's obviously because Hairston used to play for the O's, and now he's a secret double agent.
posted by inigo2 at 09:56 AM on September 01, 2009
Nope. Just a light hearted comment about the fact that despite the famous player he was 10 years ago, he has been greatly outshown by his wife. That's all.
posted by inigo2 at 11:58 AM on August 28, 2009
Howard_T - that's not just a Jersey thing. Something similar happened to Dan Snyder (scumbag owner of the Redskins) out in Maryland. Of course, he's got the money to just do what he wants (cut down a bunch of protected trees) and pay the fines later.
posted by inigo2 at 10:43 AM on August 28, 2009
I'll start it -- Nomar: steroids? Yes or No?
posted by inigo2 at 10:39 AM on August 28, 2009
You mean Mr. Mia Hamm?
posted by inigo2 at 09:55 AM on August 28, 2009
"Italian Soccer Player Benched for Sucking Because He Hadn't Eaten" just doesn't have the same ring to it, huh?
posted by inigo2 at 09:54 AM on August 28, 2009
Particularly impressed with Sky Blue's keeper, Branam, who was getting crashed into on 50/50 balls throughout the playoffs and still soldiered through.
When she got injured vs DC, it was her own fault the way she threw up her leg at whats-her-face. Use your knee for defense, not offense.
posted by inigo2 at 08:39 AM on August 26, 2009
What recent string of "basketbrawls"?
posted by inigo2 at 08:35 AM on August 26, 2009
Within a show of any kind I am able to tune out what I don't like and derive something positive from the rest.
The problem isn't simply that people don't like it, it's frankly offensive bullshit that he keeps bringing up, incorrectly and unfairly blaming the victims for a tragic accident, including on the anniversary of the incident. It's not like they're disagreeing with him on some opinion he has.
posted by inigo2 at 04:13 PM on August 25, 2009
Demophon, you can't say all that without at least telling us where you're from :)
posted by inigo2 at 02:46 PM on August 25, 2009
I was being snarky. It was proven that Vick was the "mastermind" behind this whole situation.
Yeah, you were being snarky without reading what I was replying to: "I don't get your point. The co-defendants ran the gambling endeavor that Vick funded. Why would that make Vick's sentence more harsh?"
I responded to the man's question.
posted by inigo2 at 12:33 PM on August 25, 2009
Considering that I was born & raised in Jersey, it would be safe for me to say: "I Proudly hate the fact that NJ is one of the highest taxed states"
I was born and raised in Jersey, but live in DC now. Highly taxed, AND unrepresented! Woohoo!
posted by inigo2 at 12:30 PM on August 25, 2009
I don't get your point. The co-defendants ran the gambling endeavor that Vick funded. Why would that make Vick's sentence more harsh?
Because funding the operation pretty much makes Vick the head guy. Plus his co-defendants saw the writing on the wall, and chose to plead guilty and testify against him. Pretty typical that that will lead to a harsher sentence.
Not to mention re the gambling (via here): "Peace and Phillips will tell the jury that Vick was the gambler in the enterprise. He was the winner when they won and the loser when they lost. The bets that were made, were made with Vick's money. In his plea agreement, Taylor said Vick was the source of all funds, both for the operation and for the gambling. He said one of the cohorts made the side bets, but Vick took the wins and paid the losses."
posted by inigo2 at 11:33 AM on August 25, 2009
His average co-defendants did less time than him, and they killed a whole lot more dogs.
But they didn't fund a gambling endeavor.
posted by inigo2 at 10:46 AM on August 25, 2009
I blame Lou Gossett Jr.
posted by inigo2 at 02:14 PM on August 24, 2009
I personally don't ever go to any place where I feel I need to bring my heat with me.
Oh, but you're not a professional athlete, you just don't the understand the tough tough lives they lead. Plax can't afford a bodyguard, so he HAD to carry the gun. Cough.
posted by inigo2 at 11:20 AM on August 21, 2009
Under that logic, anyone who ever drove drunk should be prosecuted because of the lives that could have been lost. The justice system doesn't punish people for crimes that might have happened but didn't.
Well, people who drive drunk and get caught are punished based on drunk driving laws. People who illegally carry guns and get caught are punished based on weapon laws. Not sure I see the inconsistency here.
posted by inigo2 at 10:38 AM on August 21, 2009
Looked to me like the goaltender for United was out of position on the Burnley goal...
Regardless of where he was, that shot was a freaking blast. Would've been tough to stop period.
posted by inigo2 at 08:06 AM on August 21, 2009
Tell me why Burress gets 2 years in prison for carrying a gun and shooting himself, and Stallworth spends 24 days for killing a man while driving drunk.
Aside from the simplification of the cases, it's because thanks to federalism, NY and Florida have different laws, and enforce things differently.
posted by inigo2 at 08:02 AM on August 21, 2009
as hard on all the other gun carrying thugs in his district as he was on Burress.
Wasn't it supposed to be 3.5yr minimum, and he allowed Burress to plead down to get just 2 years?
posted by inigo2 at 03:21 PM on August 20, 2009
0.11 seconds ahead of the record, and .62 ahead of 2nd place... Dude is sick. Non tinyurl link.
posted by inigo2 at 03:17 PM on August 20, 2009
I live in a state (Virginia) where Burress would have been facing a misdemeanor.
Well hopefully you're smart enough not to bring your legal-in-Virgina gun to NYC where it is decidedly not legal with strong penalties for violation. You know, smarter than Burress.
posted by inigo2 at 02:30 PM on August 20, 2009
Hmm.. Does this mean teams will suck more on purpose so they get the 1st pick, like the NBA? Or will owners push them like crazy so they finish in 2nd to last, so they don't have to pay for the 1st pick?
posted by inigo2 at 10:32 AM on August 20, 2009
"Idiocy Masked by Talent" would be a good title for either man's biography.
"Idiocy Masked by Talent and other agents", by Roger Clemens.
Yup, I can see it.
posted by inigo2 at 02:19 PM on August 19, 2009
should make the National Pastime in the Nation's Capital the absolutely most intriguing place to watch baseball in all of America.
Well, I guess the Lerners have read The Secret.
posted by inigo2 at 04:38 PM on August 18, 2009
Aaron Crow was drafted by the Nationals in 2008, didn't sign, was drafted by the Royals in 2009, and didn't sign
He's exempt from the deadline. He'll sign with the Royals, just give it time. (And fwiw, he's not a Boras client.)
posted by inigo2 at 02:19 PM on August 18, 2009
Now there will be a large segment of observers (larger than usual) hoping he'll fail.
Well, if people hope he fails, he probably will. I read that in The Secret.
Note: I didn't read The Secret. It's dumb. If he succeeds, people will cheer for him and he'll get paid more, and he'll get endorsements. (And frankly, in such a crappy baseball town, he'll have endorsements regardless; he didn't hurt himself in that category.) If he fails, he already got paid, and he wouldn't have gotten endorsements regardless.
I just don't understand why people are so pissed off about him squeezing another few million out of a freaking billionaire who cleared over $40 million in profit on this stupid team last year.
posted by inigo2 at 12:13 PM on August 18, 2009
Kid hasn't played a game and already has a tarnished reputation.
How do you figure? If it turns out he sucks in the majors, then he'll be a laughingstock -- with $15MM. Better than being a has-been with a lot less cash.
15 mil over 4 seasons is a lot less than Boras' claim of getting 50 million in March.
It's more than some people expected/wanted the Nats to pay, though.
Gotta love those agents!
He signed, for more money than the original Nats offer, right? Sounds like Boras did his job. For Strasburg, and most of his other clients, too.
(I hate that I'm defending him..)
posted by inigo2 at 08:58 AM on August 18, 2009
You're neglecting any future increases relative to the first contract. The waterfall affect on future salaries could be greater than the $10MM difference you mention. Also, it means he wouldn't be on the Nats.
Not disputing the rest of your post, but things are not that transparent. If they were, Boras wouldn't get the top players like he almost always does.
posted by inigo2 at 03:51 PM on August 17, 2009
I think teams should be able to trade picks. That would significantly balance things out, in my opinion.
posted by inigo2 at 01:08 PM on August 17, 2009
Fuck you, Scott Boras. You are far more of a threat to the integrity of the game than any hand-wringing about steroids or PEDs.
Of course, there's a certain amount of responsibility on the part of the owners, particularly in this case. One of the richest owners in baseball, got a free newly built stadium (that they even ceased paying rent on at one point), run their organization like a minor league team, have huge profits (>$40MM each of the last 2 years), failed to sign their first pick last year...
While Boras is the devil, the Lerners belong in hell with him.
posted by inigo2 at 10:31 AM on August 17, 2009
My snark-o-meter hit a 10 on this remark.
Yeah, sorry 'bout that... Stupid Vick signing+hangover=grumpy mood. My apologies.
posted by inigo2 at 12:56 PM on August 14, 2009
At least he didn't run over a dog. That'd get him two years in Leavenworth.
Oh man, that's totally a great analogy! Yeah!
posted by inigo2 at 12:55 PM on August 14, 2009
it amazes me how many fans believe they've got it all figured out so perfectly.
God forbid I draw conclusions. Never said I had it figured out perfectly.
Yes, it is plausible that some over the counter supplement led to his failed test. But, "In lieu of the fact there are no exact details (about what Ortiz took)", I guess we'll never know. Unless maybe he would say what he took; then this wouldn't be an issue. But, shockingly, he won't. Golly, that's amazing.
Also, Manny was taking his pregnancy drugs because he was having problems getting pregnant, not because it was a steroid mask.
posted by inigo2 at 10:31 AM on August 14, 2009
Solid work. (You and Pitino.)
posted by inigo2 at 03:22 PM on August 13, 2009
to make the claim that the game was cheated because players anonymously took a drug test to determine if the game needed a drug policy
I'm not arguing that. I'm arguing that the game was cheated because players took steroids (and other similar drugs).
is ignoring that MLB never had a drug policy instituted at that time for them to be cheating the game, they were cheating themselves.
Hence why I said they didn't break the rules, but the spirit of the rules; I'm not ignoring that fact.
I'm also not saying this was all handled correctly. And yeah, sucks for the few guys that had their names leaked after a supposedly anonymous test. But hey, if they didn't take steroids their names wouldn't be on that list regardless. Sure, this "anonymous" drug test was to help the game; how generous of them. Another way to help would've been for the players union to simply say "you're right, we don't like steroids either, and we're willing to be tested." Just like other major sports/sporting competitions.
But we might be in agree-to-disagree territory :) Don't get me wrong; I'm not all self righteous about steroids in baseball. Don't think it's right, but I'm not too concerned about it, to be honest. But I also can't seem to get worked up about players that did them getting outed.
posted by inigo2 at 12:17 PM on August 13, 2009
It's not just this era that has cheated the game but you can go back as far as when the game was whites only.
Straw man. I'm not arguing that baseball was ever pure. Just because things were wrong in the past, doesn't make cheating today okay.
posted by inigo2 at 09:37 AM on August 13, 2009
I hear what you're saying but what I would like to know is why would that person feel compelled to be the one to release the names that are being leaked?
Because they have access to the names, and nobody else is releasing any?
Then don't use the word. (Because they did NOT cheat, so when you say that they did, you're certainly going to get someone who argues that point).
Cheat cheat cheat cheat cheat. If not against the letter of the laws of baseball, then against the spirit. And in some cases, the laws of the US.
posted by inigo2 at 08:46 AM on August 13, 2009
what does the person who is leaking this information gain from all of this
Well, maybe they're annoyed that these top players were caught cheating without any repercussion, and simply feel like it should be publicly known. I know I do. (And I'm not willing to get into a debate about definitions of "cheating" right now, so don't bother, please.)
Why leak the names one at a time, I don't know (hence my request for clarification on the original question). Maybe they just don't have access to the full list or something.
posted by inigo2 at 02:48 PM on August 12, 2009
Louisville Basketball Coach Had Sex with Extortionist
Side note -- I can't be the only one that keeps misreading and seeing the word "Contortionist", can I?
posted by inigo2 at 02:43 PM on August 12, 2009
Shawon Dunston: Cubs Owe Me an Education
If you have no plans to go to college and you truly don't think the Cubs should pay you the college money, why would you file the objection?
What if he changes his mind in 10 years?