Recent Comments by erkno11

Happy 25th, USFL!

I remember that league being awesome. I was a bigger Tampa Bay Bandits fan than Buccaneers fan at the time, which wasn't very difficult at the time. Steve Spurrier was the QB for the bandits. I have memories of Bobby Hebert quarterbacking some team, Michigan I think, and Herschel Walker running for the New Jersey Generals.

posted by erkno11 at 08:50 AM on February 26, 2008

No Jokinen, Zednick's Throat Slashed During Hockey Game.

It's amazing to me that someone can sever a carotid artery and live to tell about it. I think the trainers and medical staffs that were the first responders on scene should be commended. Athletic trainers that work for any major sports league franchise are the best of the best and are a main reason that athletes recover from injuries that in years past would have ended a career and are more likely to recover or survive a life-threatening injury (i.e. Kevin Everett and others). One question, is this injury considered a career-ender or will he be able to make a comeback from this.

posted by erkno11 at 01:35 PM on February 11, 2008

Pedro Martinez, Juan Marichal filmed at cock fight

I had a Dominican roommate a couple years back who was into cockfighting in the DR. He said Marichal's roosters (cocks, whatever) were renowned for being the best in the business. Leave these guys alone on this, if you lived over there you would find this entertaining. There's nothing else to do but drink Presidente's, hang out on the corner, and listen to merengue music. I agree, this is one surreal and highly entertaining post.

posted by erkno11 at 01:40 PM on February 08, 2008

Bill James Interview by The Hardball Times

thanks, grum for the clear explanation. Even though i'm not mathematician these new stats are fascinating to me. I think it has really revolutionized the game. Looking at these new stats and factors that they now take into consideration I can understand why I was never a prospect and have a better understanding as to why I never really got a serious look in the big leagues. I always gave up more hits than innings pitched and never punched out more than a 100 batters in a year. My positives were I never walked a lot of guys and generally kept the ball in the ballpark If any of you play around with these stats I think it would be cool if someone could break down my stats sabermetrically. If they spit out bad numbers it wouldn't hurt my feelings since I have just accepted a new position with a local insurance company and have kind of turned the page on my career (maybe). Regardless, i'm proud of my accomplishments. I just think it would be fun to break them down.

posted by erkno11 at 09:16 PM on February 07, 2008

Bill James Interview by The Hardball Times

Can someone please explain what a win-share is?

posted by erkno11 at 05:04 PM on February 07, 2008

We Tried Baseball and It Didn't Work

I tried understanding this article, and it didn't work.

posted by erkno11 at 04:57 PM on February 07, 2008

Harry Caray's Been Gone For 10 Years

....It Might Be! It Could Be! It Is!!! Hard to believe it's been 10 years already. I can remember rushing home from school to catch Cubs games on WGN. I miss him. is Makes me dread this summer and listening to Josh Lewin and Tom Grieve call the Rangers games here. At least Harry could make the last place Cubs good television. He's the only announcer I can think of that was more famous and beloved than any of the players on the team they call games for. CUBS WIN!!CUBS WIN!!CUBS WIN!!

posted by erkno11 at 10:33 PM on February 05, 2008

Giants Win Superbowl!

Awesome game. One of the best ever. The last quarter and the last drive by the Giants was incredible. I can't wait to read the "Sports Guy" react to this this week. These type of games are why all of us on this site are passionaite about sports.

posted by erkno11 at 10:28 PM on February 03, 2008

Damn, why didn't I think of this?

Here's a brief summary. Signed w/Mets last offseason. Was told by them I basically had no shot to win a spot in AAA. Instead of risking it, went back to Mexico. Stupid decision. Season cut short by knee surgery and emergency appendectomy (three days in antiquated Mexican hospital). Went home. Retired. Found a real job. Hated it (worked in recruiting firm placing people in jobs that everyone in the industry seemed to hate). Company downsized and forced me out. Returned to winterball in Mexico and Dominican Republic. Pitched well. Played on my first championship team in the DR with Tejada, Furcal, and Bartolo Colon. Came home a week ago. Announced "retirement" to wife and kids. Now searching for another job in the real world. If doesn't work out, have plans to return to Mexico for another season.

posted by erkno11 at 11:21 PM on February 02, 2008

756.

now let's focus on the pennant races. GO CUBS

posted by erkno11 at 11:29 PM on August 07, 2007

756.

personally, i don't have any feelings either way about bonds breaking the record. "juiced" or not "juiced" I have the utmost respect for bonds as a player. looking at it from a pure talent standpoint I am in awe of his continued plate discipline throughout his chase for the record and his ability to hit the ball squarely most of the time he gets a pitch that he can handle. never once did he start pressing and swinging at bad or borderline pitches in order to get to the record faster. in my opinion, hands down the most talented player to ever play the game. period.

posted by erkno11 at 11:22 PM on August 07, 2007

Justin Verlander pitches no-hitter.

prediction: this guys stuff is so nasty he will throw at least one more before his career over.

posted by erkno11 at 10:31 PM on June 12, 2007

Hell's Bells, That's a Lotta Saves!

Congratulations to Hoffman, in my opinion his a lock for a first ballot HOF'er. It really, really amazes me that Hoffman has saved 500 games with basically one pitch, the changeup. The pitch is absolutely filthy. Hitters can sit on that pitch because he has an average fastball and breaking ball and still can't hit it. It makes my mind hurt thinking about how him and Tom Glavine built Hall of Fame careers with only one dominant pitch. Truly amazing accomplishments. Note to Dads with sons who want to be pitchers. Teach them the changeup before you even begin to teach them a breaking ball

posted by erkno11 at 11:30 AM on June 08, 2007

Lefty lets another tournament slip away. Charles Howell III wins Nissan Open in a playoff.

shooting a 68 in the final round doesn't constitute choke in my opinion. howell just played better and smarter down the stretch. I would like Phil a little more if he dropped the "what, me worry" look from his face and show a little intensity. maybe it's there on the inside, but to me it looks like he could give a damn about his play. just show a little more fire and give a damn and I think Phil would have a few more fans on his bandwagon. also, if I tore up the green like he did on that one chip off the green I would never be allowed back on my local course.

posted by erkno11 at 01:07 PM on February 19, 2007

"Go play intramurals, brother!"

i'm somewhere in between on this. yes, these kids are on scholarship but their college experience shouldn't revolve totally around the football program. let them have a little more than two weeks in the summer to travel, party their asses off, or visit the family. however, i can see the coaches point on this. this is big-time college football with millions of dollars at stake for the university and the coaches themselves. with the seasons starting sometimes before the fall semester starts, it is important for them to be conditioning during the summer. the NCAA sets strict limits on the number of hours teams can be on the field or in the weight room. If these coaches comply, the student/athletes should have enough time to have an enjoyable college experience and not feel like a slave to the program.

posted by erkno11 at 07:13 PM on February 14, 2007

Doping in Daytona

if you're not cheating, you're not trying. and if you get caught it sucks to be you. with the serious money and prestige that comes with winning the Daytona 500 it is no surprise to me that 5 teams have been reprimanded already. these stiff penalties should scare the other teams straight. plus, all of these teams have a couple months to sit in their garages and try to figure out ways to buck the system for this race.

posted by erkno11 at 06:53 PM on February 14, 2007

"Say goodbye to international sports and most national sports"

Global warming? it's 30 friggin degrees here in Dallas right now. This is the first time i've ever read the Huffington Post, and will probably be the last. I do believe there will be a greater energy crisis sometime farther along in our lifetime, but eliminating cross-country and international travel for sporting purposes is going a little far. Maybe teams not flying charter all the time and flying with the general public could happen somewhere down the road. I agree with Weedy, if this problem potentially gets this bad travel for sports teams will be one of the last things we will need to worry about.

posted by erkno11 at 12:13 PM on February 14, 2007

Lefty Answers Prayers of Football's Dirtiest Player

damn you, dyams, you have given me a reason to root for mickelson. i applaud "lefty" for his charity. also, i hope more will be done for retired football players who suffer on a daily basis with health and mental problems as a result of football

posted by erkno11 at 05:15 PM on February 11, 2007

Matsuzaka order's the gyroball sandwhich or does he?

NYM-AAA contract

posted by erkno11 at 01:27 PM on January 29, 2007

Barbaro Euthanized

definitely very sad to hear this, but honestly after the recent developments it seemed to me it was just a matter of time. i have somewhat followed the developments of this story since barbaro suffered this injury, and I feel as if his ability to recover enough to be brought to stud was shaky at best. i feel sorry for the horse for what he went though after his injury and wonder if the owners would have went through the same lengths to save a horse with less earning potential. also, i wonder if anyone would consider his treatment after his injury cruel? R.I.P Barbaro

posted by erkno11 at 12:16 PM on January 29, 2007

Matsuzaka order's the gyroball sandwhich or does he?

i've played in japan before and this pitch sounds like a "shuto". this is a pitch that pretty much every japanese pitcher throws regularly. they actually talk about the pitch in "Mr. Baseball." from what i remember, it is a pitch that resembles a two-seamer but seems to have a little more sink and movement than a regular two-seam fastball. this gyroball stuff sounds like more hype to me than anything. the alleged extraordinary movement and drop can come from a variety of factors like release point, arm angle, arm speed, and wrist pronation. these factors vary from pitcher to pitcher. that is why one can hold the ball exactly in the same grip as kevin brown, derek lowe, or greg maddux and not get near the same amount of movement as those guys

posted by erkno11 at 12:08 PM on January 29, 2007

Tuna Melts

i think parcells stuck it to the cowboys on his way out. waiting 2 weeks to make his decision put the Cowboys behind the eight-ball as far as beginning their search for a new coach.

posted by erkno11 at 02:29 PM on January 22, 2007

Colts are Superbowl Bound.

i'm not of fan of either teams. but i am a fan of good football, and that was probably the most exciting game I have ever watched. i hope the superbowl gives us the same kind of game. also, what was up with reche caldwell. he had a couple key drops and he looked like a deer in headlights. what was up with those eyes. i guess gator karma didn't work for him.

posted by erkno11 at 09:52 PM on January 21, 2007

'Football is a Great Game Until You Turn 45'

an eye-opening article indeed. hopefully, advances in sports medicine and rehabilitation will help athletes lead somewhat normal lives after their careers are over. I saw Outside the Lines this morning and they were showing how the use of HGH can be used to help athletes recover from injuries during and after their careers. When these players are in their mid-twenties and full of vigor and always in the spotlight and put on pedastals by the public, i'm sure they are not thinking about the consequences they will face physically after their careers are over. personally, i have been playing baseball professionally now for eleven seasons and can feel the effects on my body. my knees ache all the time and am now having back problems that will not fully go away, even with the help of medication and physical therapy three times a week. i cannot imagine what an ex-football, hockey, or basketball player must go through throughout the rest of their lives. I am also interested to see the health of some of these ballplayers who abused steroids throughout their career in 15 to 20 years. it won't be pretty.

posted by erkno11 at 10:29 AM on January 21, 2007

Samardzija chooses baseball.

the 10.5 million figure is not correct. i've ready it is anywhere between 8-10+ million.

posted by erkno11 at 03:21 PM on January 19, 2007

Samardzija chooses baseball.

lucky him, what a hard choice to make. 10.5 million in guaranteed money in one hand and a probable first round NFL draft pick in the other. I would have done the same thing and taken the guaranteed money and the greater earning potential that exists in MLB. However, RHP's that throw 95+ and have developing sliders are somewhat abundant in the lower levels of minor league baseball. It will be interesting to see how quickly the Cubs try to advance him through their system and get him to the ML's. I'm sure the Cubs hope he will develop and advance along the lines of Huston Street and Chad Cordero

posted by erkno11 at 03:08 PM on January 19, 2007

One Toke Over The Line, Ron Mexico...

My International Family of Mystery Jorge Switzerland-my alter-ego to Duff Belarus Anita Belize- my mysterious and skillful latin wife Natalie Arizona- my cunning and deceitful 4 year-old

posted by erkno11 at 11:30 AM on January 19, 2007

One Toke Over The Line, Ron Mexico...

what an idiot. Just get back to Atlanta and have Marcus hook you up Duff Belarus

posted by erkno11 at 03:18 PM on January 18, 2007

Barry Bonds Throws Teammate Under "Speeding" Bus.

being suspected of using steroids and definitely using amphetamines puts you in a fairly sizeable group of major league players. "throwing your teammate under the bus" while trying to explain a positive drug test puts you on the list of all-time worst teammates.

posted by erkno11 at 07:47 AM on January 11, 2007

Florida 41, Ohio State 14

Complete and total domination by the gators. besides the opening kickoff, the gators blew away Ohio State in every facet of the game. The Buckeyes and Troy Smith weren't ready for the speed and athleticism of the gators defense and Urban Meyer had the Buckeyes defense confused and playing on their heels. Overall, the speed and athleticism of the Gators were too much for Ohio State. They made Troy Smith look like an ordinary or below average quarterback.

posted by erkno11 at 11:24 PM on January 08, 2007

Seattle edges Dallas in a wild, wild 4th quarter

It will be interesting to see how Romo bounces back from this. It would be alot easier for him if there was a game for him to play next Sunday. But he has to live with this and answer questions about this until next September. That is a long time to have something like that linger in your head for. There were alot of mistakes that cost the cowboys the game. Roy Williams inability to cover Jeremy Stevens. Witten's fumble. The Dallas coaching staff inability to exploit the weak secondary of the Seahawks. The coaches failure to try to score a touchdown in thier final drive. Romo will always be remembered as the goat but there were other factors that contributed to the loss.

posted by erkno11 at 01:50 PM on January 07, 2007

The rich tradition of baseball in the city of St. Louis, MO got a little richer tonight.

Congrats Cardinals. I just wish the Tigers wouldn't have played so poorly this series. I think when people look back on this Series it will remembered more for Tigers blunders than great play by the Cardinals. Only 105 days or so until pitchers and catchers report 2007 prediction White Sox over Dodgers in 6

posted by erkno11 at 11:38 PM on October 27, 2006

Russ Ortiz, we hardly new ye.

If you are a lefty and you have a heartbeat someone will want you Bullspit!

posted by erkno11 at 06:53 PM on June 14, 2006

There's no cheerleading in baseball!

our cheerleaders are garbage. if anyone can find pictures of the sultanes de monterrey cheerleaders, that is a sight to behold. i can understand the marlins cheerleaders because going to a a marlins game is like going to a minor league game, but for the rest of the league it seems a little bush league. also the cheerleaders from my dominican team, the tigres de licey are really nice looking. as far as being here, it's been so-so at best. i've had four out of five qualitly starts but i am getting chinked to death. 45 hits in 31 innings with only one homerun allowed. i'm still having fun but i miss the family terribly. 3 easters for my daughter and still haven't spent one with her.

posted by erkno11 at 04:09 PM on April 17, 2006

"I was focused on the game. You gotta be focused on the game. Not anything else,"

to incredible to almost believe. with that super-imposed looking photo on the link I had to check around to make sure it was real. unbelievable, hats off to the coach for letting him play, hats off to the students for supporting him, and hats off the kid for hitting 5-6 three's. incredible!

posted by erkno11 at 09:05 AM on February 24, 2006

NFL Combine Kicks Off Today!

Always like to read of the hidden gem found at the combine... why read about it, watch it. the NFL network lets you play scout and covers the combine. from the 40's, 225-pound bench press drill, and the agility drills they let you in on it all. just about everything but the one-on-one interviews and the drug tests. I can't wait!!!!! i hope my TiVo has space on it

posted by erkno11 at 01:22 PM on February 22, 2006

Polar bear interrupts hockey game: Mom takes matters into her own hands;

Meanwhile, villagers are still marveling at her courage, and there is talk of nominating her for a bravery medal. I second that nomination. That women's got some brass balls, i guess. I guess the motherly instinct kicked in.

posted by erkno11 at 09:29 PM on February 21, 2006

Father of Mine

what's up with the father that didn't call the cops when his son went missing. his excuse is really sorry. part of me wonders if the guy just abandonded this kid, wherever or whoever his kid is.

posted by erkno11 at 04:32 PM on February 21, 2006

Ricky Williams Tests Positive for Fourth Time

whatever it was, it wasn't worth it

posted by erkno11 at 08:06 AM on February 21, 2006

Ricky Williams Tests Positive for Fourth Time

i got a little excited after I finally learned to cut and paste (just kidding). I'm putting myself on a two week posting probation. as far as Williams, I felt this was a just a matter of time. it sucks because he had such a good year for the fins and looked to be back on his way to being a top of the line running back. personally, i think it stinks the NFL is so strict on marijuana. i could understand the tough stance on performance enhancers, cocaine, and other "hard" drugs. but pot, come on, that an entirely different animal. but NFL rules are NFL rules and he should play by them if he wants the privilege of playing in the league. maybe he should have stuck with baseball. if you are on a 40-man roster you can puff till your hearts content

posted by erkno11 at 10:12 PM on February 19, 2006

Bonds Clarifies Retirement Talk

ufez, i'll remember that the next time. good point. still learning about posting etiquette

posted by erkno11 at 09:57 PM on February 19, 2006

Stewart's aggressive side resurfaces at Daytona

if stewart wasn't racing hard during this race, the race would have been boring as hell. personally, i like tony stewart and his aggressive driving style. he committed a foul, and he was penalized for it. unfortunately fouls at 190 mph can seriously injure someone, or even worse, cost someone his lie

posted by erkno11 at 07:33 PM on February 19, 2006

My All-Star fun has peaked.

damn, don't know what i was thinking about on the topic of this post. i tried hard to watch all of the festivities. it was pretty hard. i thought the dunk contest was a little better this year. i get tired of all the chances they get to complete a dunk. i thought robinson's dunk over webb was awesome. nowitzki represented well and proves some big men have an outside shot. and ray allen has the sweetest shooting stroke i have ever seen

posted by erkno11 at 11:50 PM on February 18, 2006

Davis blazes trail with gold

i agree with chico, didn't see his post until i posted mine

posted by erkno11 at 11:17 PM on February 18, 2006

Davis blazes trail with gold

sounds to me the guy does what he feel's is right for him. beside the team relay, speed skating is an individual sport and it doesn't really matter what other people think of you. the guy probably took alot of ribbing growing up in the sport and that has probably made him a little standoffish and given him an edge or a motivation to become an olympic champion. not everyone needs to like you to excel in athletics, especially an individual sport

posted by erkno11 at 11:15 PM on February 18, 2006

My All-Star fun has peaked.

i like watching big guys who can handle the ball and are good shooters from the outside. however, if they can't play tough d during the playoffs, they are not going to help their teams advance deep into the playoffs. 2 members of the all-nba defensive team, duncan and ben wallace, led their teams into the finals by patrolling the lane and forcing teams to beat them on the outside

posted by erkno11 at 10:48 PM on February 18, 2006

Drivers, teams sound off on cheating issue at Daytona

He was running consistant 222-224. That was all alone. Most likely with drafting they would be hitting 230. holy schnikees, that's fast. but don't they run those speeds at indy. I don't know if it would be doable but couldn't they decrease the degree of bankage in the turns to slow the cars down and make them get on the brakes a little. i also think the plate racing is boring and they should find something else that works for the superspeedways. watching those races are pretty boring besides the fact that there is the chance for the "big one". there is not enough passing or racing in my opinion until the last few laps.

posted by erkno11 at 11:57 AM on February 18, 2006

Welcome to Soap Opera Saturday in Torino

26 degrees, light freezing rain here in dallas, a perfect day to settle in and watch the winter olyympics. i just watched that shooting-skiing event. absolutely cool. i would compare it to running a half-mile and then trying to get up on the mound and paint a fastball on the outer-black 10 times in a row. bring back Jim McKay and the ABC coverage. that's my first olympic recollection. '84 in sarajevo

posted by erkno11 at 10:41 AM on February 18, 2006

Options Narrow as Chargers Rule Out Tagging Brees

Brees in Miami, that sounds great. Miami would become an instant playoff contender. Brees, Chambers, McMichael, R. Brown, R. Williams- Hells yeah

posted by erkno11 at 10:24 AM on February 18, 2006

Son of colts coach commited suicide

i apologize for my idiotic and insensitive post. my parents tought me better than that. I can't imagine what the Dungy's are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with them. Amen to that

posted by erkno11 at 09:09 PM on February 17, 2006

Son of colts coach commited suicide

Because as the bibles says if you commit suicide you can't make it into heaven i don't what what bibles you are reading. maybe the one they stick in the pews at the Church of Moron

posted by erkno11 at 07:32 PM on February 17, 2006

Darren Daulton, Moonbat

did i just read that? was that a joke? is today april 1st. what the f*ck? is he serious? i don't understand. What a nut job, he must have taken too many foul tips off the catcher's mask

posted by erkno11 at 07:25 PM on February 17, 2006

Not only banned, but busted too?

i'm not too brushed up on my law, but isn't it not illegal to have drugs in your system? isn't it only a crime if you are caught in posession or visibly under the influence? if that's the case I don't think the italian gov't has the authority to press charges against someone who fails an olympic drug test. unless, it was proved they consumed or were in posession of the drug on italian soil.

posted by erkno11 at 01:46 PM on February 17, 2006

Albert Belle Arrested on stalking charges.

can't say it surprises me, the guy had the look of a stalker at the plate. man, he could rake though putting a GPS tracking device under your ex's car-GENIUS

posted by erkno11 at 01:36 PM on February 17, 2006

Sweden vs USA Women's Hockey Semifinal

i don't know women's hockey enough to understand the magnitude of the upset, but from what I can tell it seems monumental. if weedy, my hockey expert, compares it to the Miracle on Ice it has to be monumental. it seems that this loss, and the dumbass snowboarder falling at the finish is symbolic of the dissapointment the US olympic team has endured in these games. you can also dominate a game but if you can't put an inferior opponent away or play a full 60 minutes, you don't deserve to win.

posted by erkno11 at 01:02 PM on February 17, 2006

Bryant Gumbel Torches Olympics

i had no opinion of Bryant Gumbel before I read this. But now that I have, F*ck him, he's a jackass. who gives a crap if watches the olympic games or not. i'm glad I cancelled HBO after the sopranos took a couple years off.

posted by erkno11 at 12:37 PM on February 17, 2006

Ozzie Calls A-Rod A-Hypocrite

i agree with guillen. i was over in the dominican this winter and the sentiment over there was they could care less if he played for the d.r.. they wanted guys from their country representing them. i wouldn't go as far as to call him a hypocrite, but his agonizing over who to play for and his decision to almost not play for any team seemed a little fake to me.

posted by erkno11 at 09:05 AM on February 17, 2006

Get 'em while they're young!

The guy's got a pretty-good entreprenuerial mind. maybe he's on to something. allow kids to pay their way out of P.E. a max of one day a week and donate the money to the school's athletic fund or put it towards registration fees and equipment for kids who can't afford to play organized sports

posted by erkno11 at 08:20 PM on February 16, 2006

Air Canada Centre confiscates sign from 10-year-old terrorist

"In the present global climate we live in, these changes are necessary measures that support providing fans with a great environment," Kamath said. are you friggin kidding me. these post 9/11 security measures have gotten a little out of hand. only macgyver could possibly blow up an arena with a paint stir stick

posted by erkno11 at 05:11 PM on February 16, 2006

More Falls And Skating Scrapes For NBC's Olympics

I know in our house whenever American Idol is on our Tv is tuned in to it. when you can check the results on the internet or watch it during the day, the nighttime nbc coverage isn't that compelling. it doesn't help having a wife that doesn't know the difference between a bobsled or a luge. and thank goodness she hasn't been turned on to figure skating.

posted by erkno11 at 05:05 PM on February 16, 2006