- 02:10 AM
- 06/19/13
Zdeno Chara is a superstar.
He's won the top honour for his position, he's instantly recognizable to anyone who follows the sport, he's been on 6 all-star teams, and entire offensive strategies by the opposition are dictated by his presence on/off the ice at any moment.
It's ridiculous to suggest that he isn't a superstar. He'd be the #1 or #2 pick at his position by any team that is building to win a Stanley Cup. Is there any other defenseman that made the playoffs that has had a bigger role in their team's success than Chara?
posted by grum@work at 03:05 PM on June 17
Buffalo Bills and the Super Bowl.
Alydar and the 1978 Triple Crown.
Phil Mickelson and the U.S. Open.
posted by grum@work at 11:08 PM on June 16
If every game is an OT game, that's going to make the losing squad feel alternatingly better/worse.
Better: We only lost by the slimmest of margins. We were good enough. We could have won with only a couple bounces in our direction.
Worse: We only lost by the slimmest of margins. We were good enough. We only lost because of a couple bounces in their direction.
posted by grum@work at 02:37 PM on June 16
It's like Putin was cast by Hollywood as "Evil Russian Dictator" for a movie, and then accidentally landed the part in real life.
posted by grum@work at 06:27 PM on June 15
Oh, Sergio.
It's not often someone shoots a sextuple-boogie on national television.
If it wasn't for the 15th hole (+10 for the tournament, leaving him +11 overall), Sergio would be in contention for the US Open.
posted by grum@work at 06:26 PM on June 15
You're off the force Bobrovsky!
Sadly Onrait and O'Toole are leaving TSN to work for FoxSportsOne in July, so I won't be able to see much of this any more.
:(
(And Orait has stated he regrets doing this now, since EVERYONE says it to him when they run into him on the street.)
posted by grum@work at 10:18 PM on June 14
The 25 stages of watching overtime playoff hockey.
posted by grum@work at 10:17 PM on June 14
I think the toughest team in the NHL is the Toronto Maple Leafs.
To have your season end like it did, and to have the baggage of decades of failure pressing down on your back, and to have a rabid fanbase that won't give you a moments peace (even when you aren't around the arena) and being unable to escape the smothering, cynical, spiteful 24/7/365 media...
How they don't drink themselves into a stupor and just lay down in the gutter to die, I don't know.
posted by grum@work at 08:50 PM on June 14
Given recent developments, other name choices:
Washington Snoops
(I imagine a logo similar to this...)
D.C. Surveillance
(just as ridiculous as "Heat", "Magic", "Jazz")
Washington Overlords
(Also a nod to D-Day)
posted by grum@work at 01:29 PM on June 14
Rocs: Maybe. Why not go full-on mythological terror beast and be the Dragons, though?
Because "Dragons" is the default expansion name that the NBA puts into teams final selection lists. I'm pretty sure that it was one of the choices for Toronto, Charlotte, and one other team (Magic?).
posted by grum@work at 11:17 PM on June 13
Hold up, here.
We're not going to start this nonsense about James not being "clutch", "folding under pressure", right?
I mean, after last year where he pretty much carried the team on his back for the playoffs, we aren't going to drag that bullshit out into the sunlight, okay?
posted by grum@work at 11:07 AM on June 12
The only special circumstance here is that Tebow comes with a disproportionate amount of hype, and some teams handle a media circus better than others.
"Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?"
posted by grum@work at 03:17 PM on June 11
Sadly, he had to go and ruin that by pitching (well) on Sunday.
posted by grum@work at 09:50 AM on June 11
If one of the best coaches in NFL history thinks he's worth signing, doesn't that suggest the conventional wisdom is wrong?
No.
Not every team has the following:
- consistent winning record
- lock-solid starting QB
- unconventional messianic coach
I think you need all three of those before you bring in someone like Tebow (or, a prior example, Moss).
posted by grum@work at 09:38 AM on June 11
all that I can see from the clip is the block then LeBron turning to locate the camera for 8 or 10 seconds
People's judgement of passing time is horrible. It's at most 3 seconds before he turns and runs up the court.
posted by grum@work at 04:13 PM on June 10
I can't pick the Bruins, only because if they win then it would imply that if the Leafs...well...hadn't...um...you know.
I won't even entertain the thought.
Blackhawks in 7
Patrick Sharp
posted by grum@work at 09:06 AM on June 09
NoMich:
No jokes from my point of view. "RedBlacks" is just a bad name. The Ottawa franchise used to be the "Rough Riders" and (a later incarnation) the "Renegades". Their team colours were red and black. So it's like they just got lazy and said "Look at our connection to history! We're red and black, too! We're the...uh...RedBlacks!"
posted by grum@work at 09:04 AM on June 09
The Ottawa RedBlacks
*facepalm*
posted by grum@work at 05:03 PM on June 08
The 12-year-old version of me would be giggling like an idiot when he realized that with their most recent free agent signing, the Blue Jays rotation has Dickey, Johnson, and Wang.
posted by grum@work at 01:30 PM on June 08
As a Leafs fan, at least I can almost take comfort in the fact that they have put up the biggest fight against the Bruins all playoffs.
Almost.
posted by grum@work at 10:51 PM on June 07
Video of the crazy pass:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSRk7qrwDNA
posted by grum@work at 03:01 PM on June 07
Did anyone notice the crazy passing that Manu Ginobli did in the game?
He passes it between the moving legs of an opponent, and right into Parker's hands.
Or...
How about a curve ball pass?
posted by grum@work at 01:52 PM on June 07
(Watch it all the way through.)
posted by grum@work at 12:52 AM on June 07
Good thing for MLB this isn't a court of law.
Bad thing for MLB when they get taken to court by the players (individually, or the union) and lose big time.
posted by grum@work at 11:00 AM on June 06
Oh yeah, that's a quality witness for MLB.
posted by grum@work at 10:24 AM on June 06
Is double jeopardy a concept that MLB actually needs to worry about?
It is if you want a reasonable arbitrator to rule in your favour.
MLB: "He committed two offenses. One, he broke the rules. Two, he didn't admit he broke the rules when we asked him. And three...he has three offenses! He broke the rules, he didn't admit he broke the rules, and he continues to deny breaking the rules...and he won't admit he is continuing to break the rules by denying he broke the rules. He has FOUR offenses!"
posted by grum@work at 04:15 PM on June 05
One source familiar with the case said the commissioner's office might seek 100-game suspensions for Rodriguez, Braun and other players, the penalty for a second doping offense. The argument, the source said, is the players' connection to Bosch constitutes one offense, and previous statements to MLB officials denying any such connection or the use of PEDs constitute another.
I don't see how any legitimate arbitrator would agree that Braun or ARod would be subject to a 100-game suspension. That logic to use the same connection twice is so full of double-jeopardy holes that it would get thrown out in a hurry.
I think someone might be counting suspensions before they hatch.
posted by grum@work at 10:34 PM on June 04
So, about that new Dodger, Yasiel Puig...
posted by grum@work at 08:16 AM on June 04
Matt Cooke got tossed from the game for a dangerous hit?
posted by grum@work at 09:21 PM on June 01
Heh. I wish. I have him on my Scoresheet team, and he's a monster.
For fun:
.341/.422/.612
46 HR, 149 RBI
Will not win the triple crown because Chris Davis will hit 51 HR.
posted by grum@work at 11:59 AM on June 01
That's a tough one to search for, as the splits are done by month (or March/April), and you have to manually look for March/April/May totals.
I can tell you that it looks like they are using the AVG and RBI totals to exclude players. Considering that those are exhibit 1a and 1b for overrated batting stats, I'm not surprised that much better seasonal starts are being excluded.
The standard:
Miguel Cabrera, March/April/May 2013:
.372 AVG, 1.116 OPS, 15 HR, 61 RBI
For comparison:
Babe Ruth, March/April/May 1928:
.364 AVG, 1.399 OPS, 19 HR, 49 RBI
Mark McGwire, March/April/May 1998:
.322 AVG, 1.331 OPS, 27 HR, 68 RBI
Jimmie Foxx, March/April/May 1932:
.417 AVG, 1.348 OPS, 17 HR, 50 RBI
Mickey Mantle, March/April/May 1956:
.414 AVG, 1.356 OPS, 20 HR, 50 RBI
posted by grum@work at 10:39 AM on June 01
As a Leafs fan, I would LOVE a second team in Toronto.
1) It would put more pressure on the Leafs to be competitive.
2) It would provide more opportunity for people to see NHL games.
3) It might actually provide some ticket price competition.
4) It would give the Anti-Leaf fans (not currently fans of any team) someone to cheer for.
(However, true Anti-Leaf fans who don't actually watch hockey, but complain about the Leafs just to be spiteful to Leaf fans...they can go f*** themselves.)
I would probably cheer for the Toronto G.T.Ehs for every one of their games, except against the Leafs.
I'm not sure a second Montreal team would fly.
A second Quebec team (again) would definitely be worth trying (again).
posted by grum@work at 05:35 PM on May 31
Penguins in 6
Blackhawks in 7
I like that it's the last four Stanley Cup champs remaining.
That breaks a streak of 9 straight different champions.
posted by grum@work at 02:55 PM on May 30
MacKinnon looks REAL good. Tough choice for Colorado as the #1 pick...MacKinnon, Jones, or even Drouin.
posted by grum@work at 01:16 PM on May 27
Close finish in Indy Lights on the weekend.
posted by grum@work at 11:25 PM on May 26
Now that's using your, uh, knee.
posted by grum@work at 01:44 AM on May 26
Same play, three different announcers, three different feelings.
"I'll race you to the airport." is an awesome final line.
(Also, listen for the Super Mario Bros. "coin" noise as they count off the runs for the Indians.)
posted by grum@work at 10:29 PM on May 23
Post game interviews for the Cincy Bearcats are worth watching.
posted by grum@work at 06:31 PM on May 23
holden:
Don't worry about speed. Teach your lefties to throw junk, and they can have a 20+ year career.
posted by grum@work at 02:20 PM on May 22
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
SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle
The Penguins and the Red Wings last victories were definitely superstar driven. The problem is that both those teams were chock full of superstars, so they didn't stand out from each other.
The team composition that is never going to win the Stanley Cup finals (unlike the NBA finals) is the "King and his Court" system, with one mega-star and a bunch of role-players.