- 11:18 PM
- 05/21/13
My fellow Leaf fans are salivating at the idea of Max Domi becoming a Maple Leaf in the future. I think a bunch of them just want to make their jerseys relevant again.
posted by grum@work at 05:44 PM on May 21
Say hello to the 2037 American League Cy Young winner!
Robin Helen Joan Hudson was born on Sunday May 19th at 10:05pm.
Given this 5lb 12oz bundle of joy's solid finger grip, I am already planning on grooming her to be a star sinkerball pitcher for the Blue Jays (after she graduates from university).
posted by grum@work at 05:39 PM on May 21
Oh my god, the Sharks just Maple-Leaf'd this game!
I hate myself.
posted by grum@work at 12:51 AM on May 17
Daniel Murphy invents a new version of the hidden ball trick.
posted by grum@work at 10:20 PM on May 16
Yeah, I happened to have a few minutes this afternoon and saw that collision live. I'm not a doctor, but I'm guessing it's the LCL or PCL that's torn. If that's the case, I'll be very surprised to see him play another NHL game in 2013, and he wouldn't be available for the 2014 Olympics.
posted by grum@work at 10:17 PM on May 16
In this day and age, who really thinks that diabetes can't be overcome by a professional athlete?
Hell, it's been almost 44 years since this guy proved it can be done.
posted by grum@work at 11:08 AM on May 16
I guess the saving grace is that Toronto didn't hold a 3-0 lead in the series, and go up by three goals in the 7th game, and still lose. That would be much harder to watch happen.
/bitter snark
posted by grum@work at 05:04 PM on May 14
I have to wait 24 hours before I can turn on any sports highlight package.
I don't want to see the talking heads dissecting the collapse.
I don't want to see any of the players trying to explain it.
I don't want to see any of the fans being upset about it.
I'm happy the Leafs made the playoffs.
I'm happy the Leafs were more than just participants in the playoffs.
*cough*Canucks*cough*
From 1000 miles up, I'm happy the younger Leaf players get this experience.
But if the Leafs could go ahead and deal Dion Phaneuf for a more stable, mobile defenseman, I would be even happier.
posted by grum@work at 04:56 PM on May 14
It sounds hollow, I'm sure, but I would have been ecstatic if told ahead of time that the Leafs were going to get to OT in game 7 against the Bruins.
If anything, this should hopefully put to rest the whole Kessel vs. Bruins nonsense. 4 goals, 2 assists, and +3
posted by grum@work at 08:25 AM on May 14
Boston in 5
Kings in 7
Pittsburgh in 5
Chicago in 6
posted by grum@work at 11:14 PM on May 13
━━━━━┓＼ ＼
┓┓┓┓┓┃
┓┓┓┓┓┃ ヽ○ノ
┓┓┓┓┓┃ /
┓┓┓┓┓┃ ノ)
┓┓┓┓┓┃
┓┓┓┓┓┃
┓┓┓┓┓┃
▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
posted by grum@work at 10:34 PM on May 13
He's probably the most polarizing athlete alive today, so strong love/hate on either side is to be expected.
Tiger Woods?
posted by grum@work at 04:46 PM on May 13
On Bryce Harper's Swing.
A beautifully violent swing, but I'll always be smitten with John Olerud's smooth batting stroke. One observer said "His swing is so sweet, I want to pour it on my pancakes."
posted by grum@work at 02:44 PM on May 13
I really think teams don't want to risk him starting, winning ugly, then not being able to get him out of town (unless they have a QB like a Manning to step in). Teams would rather lose with a guy like Michael Vick, who has a hell of a arm but can't hit anyone, then with a guy like Tebow who can't throw well.
The problem with "winning ugly" is that it's really not a repeatable skill.
Here are names of quarterbacks who had a similar season to Tebow's 2011 (number of attempts > 200 and pass completion % < 50%):
Ryan Leaf
Akili Smith
Heath Shuler
Craig Whelihan
Stan Gelbaugh
Browning Nagle
Not a very inspiring list.
posted by grum@work at 11:18 PM on May 12
Someone should send in the CSI team to check for bomb residue as Garcia blew up on the final two holes. He dropped SIX shots on the last two holes.
posted by grum@work at 07:07 PM on May 12
So Manchester City just got Wiggity-wiggity-Wigan-whacked!
(R.I.P. Mac Daddy)
posted by grum@work at 02:44 PM on May 11
Rare event last night in the Tampa Bay Rays baseball game.
Their starting pitcher Alex Cobb struck out 13 batters in 4 2/3 innings.
Only two batters were put out by fielder plays.
Even more rare was the fact that the Padres scored a run in an inning without ever getting a hit, drawing a walk, benefiting from a fielder's error, or even just putting the ball in play.
San Diego - Top of 3rd
Alex Cobb pitching for Tampa Bay
W.Venable struck out swinging, W Venable safe at first on wild pitch by A Cobb.
C.Headley struck out swinging, W Venable stole second.
W.Venable stole third.
C.Quentin struck out swinging.
W.Venable scored on A Cobb's balk.
Y.Alonso struck out swinging.
Four batters faced, four batters struck out, one run scored.
posted by grum@work at 09:23 AM on May 11
Notes from the evening:
- I really, REALLY wish Toronto had faced Montreal in the first round.
- Sidney Crosby is awesome.
- Is there anyone in the west that can seriously challenge Chicago?
- Tie game, two outs, bottom of the 10th, man on second, and the Jays decide to intentionally walk someone. And then accidentally walk someone. And then accidentally walk someone else to end the game. I fucking hate intentional walks.
- How does the NBA have ZERO games scheduled this early in the playoffs?
posted by grum@work at 12:17 AM on May 10
According to the umpires using video review, this WASN'T a game-tying home run for Adam Rosales in the 9th inning against Cleveland.
Not surprisingly, the worst umpire in the majors (Angel Hernandez) was involved in making that decision.
posted by grum@work at 10:41 PM on May 08
I can't imagine how frustrating it must be as a pitcher to pitch that well and still have your team lose.
The Mets won in the 10th inning.
posted by grum@work at 12:10 PM on May 08
?
Is there something I'm missing here?
posted by grum@work at 12:10 PM on May 08
It's only the fifth time since 1916 (when we have full game data) that a pitcher has thrown at least 9 innings, gave up 0 runs, gave up at most one hit, struck out at least 10, and didn't get a decision.
Rk Player Date Tm AppDec IP H R ER BB SO
1 Francisco Cordova 1997-07-12 PIT GS-9 9.0 0 0 0 2 10
2 Alan Benes 1997-05-16 STL GS-9 9.0 1 0 0 3 11
3 Nolan Ryan 1986-07-22 HOU GS-10 9.1 1 0 0 4 14
4 Jose DeLeon 1983-07-31(2) PIT GS-9 9.0 1 0 0 3 11
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 5/8/2013.
In fact, it's tied with two performances by Randy Johnson (game 1, game 2) as the greatest nine inning no-decision games in baseball (in terms of game score).
posted by grum@work at 12:20 AM on May 08
You better stop ripping off Gareth Bale's celebration.
To be fair, it's the hand symbol PLUS the number 11. That's the only thing that makes it a useable trademark (since the "hands as a heart" symbol has been done before) and it only counts for jewelry and clothing.
posted by grum@work at 08:40 PM on May 07
Example #1 why scouting reports shouldn't be taken too seriously:
Greg Maddux - Not strong enough to be a starter.
From this black hole of free time.
posted by grum@work at 05:55 PM on May 07
Williams presented the engagement ring to Marzouki on Feb. 19, 2012, according to the lawsuit. He also gave her an American Express card to which she charged $108,000 during 2012 and "additional luxurious items" valued at about $230,000, attorneys said.
However, Marzouki "unilaterally terminated" the engagement on Jan. 21, 2012,
There must be some mistakes in the article, because it has him proposing after she "unilaterally terminated" the engagement.
Neverthless, I get the feeling that we'll be hearing about Mr. Williams in the 2025 Sports Illustrated article about "Multi-Millionaire Athletes Who Are Broke".
posted by grum@work at 11:24 AM on May 07
Limitations:
- pitching role (starter) - age (under 21) - inning count (>= 7 IP) - run count (= 0 R) - strikeout count (9K) - hit count (<= 1 H) - date (last 15 years)
Eight different restrictions!
It's happened 5 different times (to four pitchers) since 1916:
Rk Player Age Date IP H R SO
1 Jose Fernandez 20.277 2013-05-04 7.0 1 0 9
2 Kerry Wood 20.324 1998-05-06 9.0 1 0 20
3 Dwight Gooden 19.296 1984-09-07 9.0 1 0 11
4 Bob Feller 20.236 1939-06-27 9.0 1 0 13
5 Bob Feller 20.203 1939-05-25 9.0 1 0 10
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 5/6/2013.
posted by grum@work at 10:50 PM on May 06
No-hitters since 2009:
Rk Player Date Current ERA
1 Homer Bailey 2012-09-28 3.38
2 Felix Hernandez 2012-08-15 1.60
3 Matt Cain 2012-06-13 6.49
4 Johan Santana 2012-06-01 ---- [injured]
5 Jered Weaver 2012-05-02 4.91 [injured]
6 Philip Humber 2012-04-21 8.82
7 Ervin Santana 2011-07-27 2.00
8 Justin Verlander 2011-05-07 1.55
9 Francisco Liriano 2011-05-03 ---- [minors]
10 Matt Garza 2010-07-26 ---- [injured]
11 Edwin Jackson 2010-06-25 6.39
12 Roy Halladay 2010-05-29 8.65 [injured]
13 Dallas Braden 2010-05-09 ---- [injured]
14 Ubaldo Jimenez 2010-04-17 7.13
15 Mark Buehrle 2009-07-23 6.43
16 Jonathan Sanchez 2009-07-10 11.85
Of the 16 pitchers, 12 of them have TERRIBLE ERAs, or are in the minors/injured.
King Felix, Verlander, and Ervin Santana are having great seasons, while Homer Bailey is having a good season.
posted by grum@work at 12:01 AM on May 06
Even the Prime Minister of Canada doesn't like them leaving...
posted by grum@work at 08:57 PM on May 03
Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole are leaving TSN for Fox Sports
I'm REALLY unhappy about this. They have great chemistry and their 30-so-episode podcast has been hilarious.
posted by grum@work at 08:44 PM on May 03
And I have no problem with Blue Jays announcers pointing out where and how they believe he is. But the confronting Farrell, talking to both Red Sox catchers, is over the line.
Huh?
Nobody seemed to think it was over the line when the media confronted Farrell and the hitters when there was the ridiculous "man in white" controversy last year.
posted by grum@work at 04:37 PM on May 03
Plus I always wanted to hear Kerry Fraser speak.
All words you hear from him are lies!
It's 20 years ago this month when, and I say this with no hint of hyperbole, that helmet-haired devil perpetuated the single greatest act of evil in the history of the universe!)
posted by grum@work at 04:35 PM on May 03
The Portland Timbers got thrashed by an underage squad yesterday.
The news recap shows that the Timbers really need to work on their defense.
posted by grum@work at 03:06 PM on May 02
Encarnacion hit one into the FIFTH DECK at Rogers Centre tonight.
posted by grum@work at 01:03 AM on May 01
Pittsburgh in 4
Montreal in 7
Washington in 6
Toronto in 7 (I'm a biased idiot.)
Chicago in 4
Anaheim in 6
Vancouver in 6
St. Louis in 7
posted by grum@work at 11:38 PM on April 29
Some commentators in Canada pointed out that Tebow wouldn't cut it in the CFL because of the wider/longer field. He might be able to work as a running QB (a popular style in Canada), but he doesn't have the arm strength to run one direction and throw it all the way across the field.
He's really running out of (QB) options.
Do you really think that guy is completely out of the league a year later?
If he completes less than 50 of his passes, has below average yards per attempt, and gets sacked as often as Tebow did in his last full season, then yes.
posted by grum@work at 11:28 PM on April 29
I've endured years of misery and gone to enormous lengths to live a lie. I was certain that my world would fall apart if anyone knew. And yet when I acknowledged my sexuality I felt whole for the first time.
This may be the most important message to be taken from this story. I hope this is the one that resonates from this moment, and every other person that feels like they are forced to hide their sexuality from the world has a chance to hear it.
posted by grum@work at 12:28 PM on April 29
Whatever happened to the Tebow fans from Denver who thought signing Manning and trading Tebow was a bad idea?
posted by grum@work at 11:05 AM on April 29
Sigh.
Why does it have to be Boston?
The last time Toronto beat Boston in a playoff series:
posted by grum@work at 01:31 AM on April 29
CBC's dream scenario for Sunday's hockey games:
Boston beats Ottawa in regulation, and San Jose beats Los Angeles.
Your first round Canadian games would then be:
Montreal vs Toronto - CBC has been waiting over 30 years for this to happen again. It pretty much guarantees ratings that only the 2012 Olympic gold medal game could beat.
Pittsburgh vs Ottawa - Ottawa gets a minimum of 4 games against Matt Cooke? CBC can play up the "getting revenge" factor, AND they'd get the chance to broadcast Crosby + Iginla. Big audience for that as the secondary game.
Vancouver vs Los Angeles - The perpetually hard-luck Canucks get a chance for revenge for losing to the Kings last playoffs. CBC will do fine with that as their late game.
If Boston wins in overtime/shootout, then they still get Montreal vs Toronto, but lose the Pittsburgh/Ottawa matchp.
Anything else, and CBC misses out on their dream match-ups entirely.
posted by grum@work at 12:47 AM on April 28
I offset my complete lack of talent with an Ulf Samuelsson skillset.
*face punch*
/Domi
posted by grum@work at 02:19 PM on April 25
I'm not a subscriber and it let me read it with a free account.
"Premium content only currently available to those users in the United States."
I didn't want to read anything about problems in your 0.3048meterball.
posted by grum@work at 08:15 AM on April 25
Victor Martinez decides that a home plate collision isn't the best idea when you are coming off an ACL injury that meant you missed an entire season.
posted by grum@work at 11:39 PM on April 24
Karlsson's injury was an accident, plain and simple.
Yeah...I'm not so sure about that.
As a Leaf fan, you won't find me showing support for our sad little brothers in Kanata, but even I looked at Cooke's actions during that injury and thought "That wasn't a normal hit."
posted by grum@work at 08:12 AM on April 23
Suarez goes full zombie...again.
posted by grum@work at 12:45 AM on April 22
The downside of the Leafs making the playoffs THIS year is that if the Leafs make it to the second round (or later...let me dream, okay?) I probably won't be paying too much attention to hockey in the third week of May (or later).
posted by grum@work at 01:38 AM on April 21
Once you start surfing through Youtube sports plays, you come across some dandy moments:
Ozzie Guillen is fooled by hidden ball trick...twice.
posted by grum@work at 06:59 PM on April 20
In honour of Jean Segura's crazy time on the basepaths last night, I give you:
Lloyd Moseby's Adventures Between First and Second Bases
posted by grum@work at 11:56 AM on April 20
But... how do you mark that in the book?
Well, Baseball-Reference doesn't have a code for "retreats to first base", so everything lists him as being caught stealing 3rd base later that inning (even though it really was 2nd base...again).
However, it does suggest something is amiss as he's caught stealing 3rd...with a throw from the catcher to 2nd baseman:
b8 5-4 2 -2- 1,(0-0) O MIL J. Lucroy S. Camp -2% 84% Segura Caught Stealing 3B (C-2B)
posted by grum@work at 11:55 AM on April 20
Jean Segura steals first base!
At the beginning of the play:
Segura on 2nd base (single and stole 2nd base).
Braun on 1st base.
Sequence of events:
Side note: Later that inning, he gets tagged out trying to (re-)steal 2nd base.
posted by grum@work at 01:33 AM on April 20
I immediately flashed back to the 2006 playoffs.
(Although it was more of a joyous affair at the time.)
posted by grum@work at 10:50 AM on April 18
As a Leafs fan, I'm pretty pissed that the NHL is going to devalue Toronto's first chance at this.
posted by grum@work at 01:23 PM on April 17
I call it poor taste and insensitivity in a day and age of so much senseless violence.
Find us a day and age that didn't have so much senseless violence; or for that matter, a topic that can't possibly offend anyone.
Some would say that we live in the least violent time in human history.
posted by grum@work at 09:01 PM on April 15
Ben Revere flying through the air with the greatest of ease...
posted by grum@work at 08:57 PM on April 15
The fact this is possible is one of the greatest things about golf. If I could call holding penalties while watching an NFL game, I'd spend all Sunday on the phone.
Yeah, but then the NFL would just outsource your job to somewhere in Asia where 10 people could watch the game for half the beer/chips cost.
posted by grum@work at 10:23 PM on April 13
A top-ranked golfer, a pro for many years, suddenly does not know the drop rule?
It would seem that there have been many (hundreds?) of professional golfers that have made a mistake with the rules at some point on the PGA, and have been assessed penalties as a result.
This would seem to suggest that the rules are either very complicated, not well explained, or simply so numerous that it's hard to keep track of all of them.
posted by grum@work at 08:59 PM on April 13
Faldo has since gone on TV and said he's reversed his outrage after hearing everything that the Augusta committee has said, including their timeline of events.
Of course, the conspiracy theorists will ignore that info and still ask for Tiger to be DQ'd.
posted by grum@work at 03:33 PM on April 13
This is some quality baserunning by the Orioles.
posted by grum@work at 11:57 PM on April 12
SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle
yerfatma:
Required reading.