Recent Comments by evixir

Mexico Faces The Netherlands in Round of 16

Mexico just sort of gave up after their goal and played way too conservatively. It wasn't surprising that the Dutch capitalized upon that mistake, but still, what a bummer.

posted by evixir at 02:40 PM on June 29, 2014

Aaron Hernandez's home searched in possible homicide probe

I think the obstruction of justice charge is more than a convenient way of keeping him around. Evidently Hernandez' home security system was intentionally destroyed recently, and his cellphone was smashed/mangled. The house cleaners hired on Monday to clean his mansion could be explained away as their usual routine, I suppose, but the other stuff is pretty incriminating unless his next move is to claim someone's trying to set him up.

posted by evixir at 11:41 AM on June 22, 2013

49ers Michael Crabtree tears Achilles' tendon in practice

Sporting News is quick to point out the speedy recoveries of Terrell Suggs and Demaryius Thomas from the same injury, but every recovery's different and I imagine for every Terrell Suggs story, there's a story of someone whose recovery took a lot longer than 6-7 months.

posted by evixir at 09:26 PM on May 22, 2013

Retired NASCAR driver Dick Trickle dies of apparent self-inflicted wound

The location where they found him is very poignant. It's possible he never really got over his granddaughter's death, and that combined with the health problems he was facing were just too much to deal with.

I'm not into NASCAR or car racing in general but as a Wisconsin native the name always resonated with me. Hope he has finally found peace.

posted by evixir at 11:29 AM on May 19, 2013

Carl Pavano Almost Died After Snow-Shoveling Fall

Insane how a seemingly simple injury like that -- something no doubt many of us have done -- could lacerate a spleen. Perforated by a rib perhaps?

posted by evixir at 01:54 PM on February 18, 2013

Another Document Links Ryan Braun to PED Supplier

As a Brewers fan, this is very disappointing. Hard to believe he's clean at this point, though it was hard to believe after the initial reports a couple years ago. Any other explanation is just really reaching at this point.

posted by evixir at 01:51 PM on February 18, 2013

Lance Armstrong Admits Using PEDs, Destroying People

The article about the bike mechanic is what I always think of lately whenever Armstrong's in the news again. Sweet, sweet karma. But in general, fuck this guy. I hope he loses absolutely everything over this.

posted by evixir at 10:48 PM on January 18, 2013

Manti Te'o's dead girlfriend was... fake?

I have a feeling the truth is going to surface on this pretty quickly. Either he was faking it for sympathy votes/publicity, or he was faking it to hide something about his lifestyle. Either way, it was a very stupid thing to do and will blow up for him even more than it already has.

posted by evixir at 06:17 PM on January 17, 2013

RG3 Reinjures Knee in Washington Playoff Exit

That was absolutely ridiculous of Shanahan. Put Cousins in and they may have had a chance. Everyone with half a brain who was watching that game could tell RG3 was nowhere near his usual self, and it cost them the game. Talk about a teachable moment for a rookie; I just hope he learned something from it, but it doesn't sound like anything sank in at this point. Sometimes maturity and professionalism means acknowledging and realizing when you are not at your best and are not helping your team by being out there when your backup is ready to go.

posted by evixir at 09:43 PM on January 07, 2013

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

I was shocked they let Lovie Smith go. Here's hoping someone good picks him up, because he seems like a really decent guy and a good coach. I'll miss seeing him in the NFC North, though.

posted by evixir at 05:19 PM on December 31, 2012

Josh Harding diagnosed with muscular dystrophy

You may want to fix that title if you can. MD is much, much different from MS. I read the article thinking "How's he going to keep playing with MD?"

posted by evixir at 08:00 PM on November 29, 2012

Jeter Fractures Ankle in Yankees Game 1 Loss

The guy's also 38 years old. Granted, Vizquel was 45 when he finally retired, but still... I don't follow the Yankees but I hope they've started to build up their shortstop backlog. Can't bank on having Jeter forever.

posted by evixir at 06:48 PM on October 14, 2012

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

Thoughts are with the Neshek family. I can't imagine what they're going through right now.

posted by evixir at 04:06 PM on October 06, 2012

Seattle Wins on What-the-Hell Mary

Un-fucking-believable. That Packers/Seahawks game was fucking bullshit.

posted by evixir at 11:59 PM on September 24, 2012

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

Replacement ref admits he didn't know the rules and gave Harbaugh two extra challenges he wasn't supposed to have in the SF-MN game.

I think this won't end until a player gets seriously, seriously hurt due to a blown call. Maybe then, we'll get the real refs back, but until that point we're stuck.

posted by evixir at 10:24 PM on September 23, 2012

Tulane Safety Devon Walker Breaks Neck

Followup news reports indicated he never had a collapsed lung or a tracheotomy on the field. The team doctor is disputing the reports about the lung and tracheotomy.

Hope he recovers fully, but it's too early to know yet. Scary, scary stuff.

posted by evixir at 07:05 PM on September 09, 2012

SportsFilter: The Saturday Huddle

I wondered that about Strasburg. It sounds like he's done for the year, and that's basically what Davey Johnson says too.

The Devon Walker news is horrible. None of the news reports have said if he had any feeling below the neck or not but man, you just hope to hell it's not that serious.

posted by evixir at 03:42 PM on September 08, 2012

Oakland A's pitcher Brandon McCarthy hit in head with line drive, has surgery

The slo-mo replay of the hit and his reaction makes it clear something was not right, and it looked like he knew damn well something was not right while sitting up. Scary, scary hit. Hope he recovers completely with no ill effects.

posted by evixir at 12:13 PM on September 08, 2012

NCAA President: Death Penalty Possible for Penn State

As someone who's never followed college sports, never participated in them, never gone to college sports games, and graduated from a Big Ten school, my bias is clear. I know college sports bring in a lot of money for schools, but goddamnit, education is the reason you're there. Not the fucking sports.

Shut down the program for a year, five years, whatever. The school won't close down because football isn't being played there anymore, and if it does? Then it shouldn't have stood as long as it has, resting solely on the laurels and good graces of collegiate sporting funds. Then it wasn't a college in the first place, just a figurehead for the ultimate commodity being provided: sports, under the guise/facade/what-have-you of higher education.

posted by evixir at 10:09 PM on July 18, 2012

Spectator Sues Little Leaguer Over Errant Bullpen Throw

I hope this doesn't sour the kid on baseball. She should be ashamed of herself. What a disgusting display of greed.

posted by evixir at 10:03 PM on June 22, 2012

No Triple Crown as I'll Have Another Scratched

That's a bummer, but glad the trainer and owner did what was best for the horse's health. Nobody wants to see another Barbaro situation, or anything like that filly who came in 2nd to Big Brown who was put down on the track a couple years ago -- forgot her name.

Like so many others, I too will probably forgo watching the race now, as the Triple Crown possibility was the only really interesting aspect of it for me. Such is the life of a bandwagon racing fan.

posted by evixir at 12:33 PM on June 09, 2012

SportsFilter: The Saturday Huddle

Thanks for that, tommy. Ax is pretty awesome indeed, and not just because of the facial hair.

posted by evixir at 02:09 PM on May 12, 2012

Mariano Rivera Tears ACL Shagging Fly Balls

This was shocking news; I'm not a Yankee fan but I've always been a fan of Rivera. Here's hoping he's able to come back from this and retake the mound again.

posted by evixir at 08:58 PM on May 06, 2012

Death in the London Marathon

Do they know why she died? It seems like there have been more stories lately about marathoners who die during the race or immediately thereafter. Undiagnosed heart conditions, perhaps?

posted by evixir at 10:32 PM on April 26, 2012

Luck, Griffin, Insert Name Here

The booing is extremely obnoxious. This is a lifechanging event for these kids and those morons booing are just ruining the vibe.

posted by evixir at 10:29 PM on April 26, 2012

Colorado State Football Players Beat Down Students

If it's established that they were the ones who jumped these kids, kick 'em off the team, kick 'em out of the school. Period. Then let the law deal with them for agg assault.

Orakpo will have to kibosh the Geico neanderthal Scrabble games for awhile and teach his little brother how to be a man, it seems.

posted by evixir at 10:37 PM on April 09, 2012

You've Run a Long Way, Baby

I love this. Thanks for sharing it.

posted by evixir at 09:36 PM on April 03, 2012

Braun Wins Suspension Appeal

Extraordinarily pleased that things worked out this way. The chain-of-custody bit was the clincher, but I still believe the kid was never a doper.

And as someone posted earlier, none of this should ever have seen the light of day in the first place. MLB has some major problems on their hands, considering they can't maintain confidentiality worth a damn.

posted by evixir at 07:18 PM on February 26, 2012

Iditarod Dog Runs Away in Alaska

Perhaps he was just more eager to start the race than the other sled dogs.

posted by evixir at 08:08 PM on February 16, 2012

Tigers Sign Prince Fielder for 9 Years, $214 Million

As a Brewer fan who found Fielder a bit overrated and obnoxious, the fact that he's heading to his dad's former team (considering their well-publicized feud) is fairly amusing. That was the offer he accepted.

Unless, of course, his full intention is to completely overshadow his father forever, on any and every team he ever played for, but I don't think he's got the moxie for it.

posted by evixir at 09:30 PM on January 27, 2012

Penn State Coach Joe Paterno Dies

The confluence of events is surreal -- not to say that he didn't have an inkling he might have cancer prior to all this, or that nature didn't just take its course normally for an 85yo man, but damn. Sad ending, but it could have been a lot more peaceful for him if he'd done what he knew he should do, as a man in a position of great power to effect great change at the institution.

posted by evixir at 11:35 AM on January 22, 2012

Sarah Burke passes away

Sounds weird to say but I'm glad you did, Drood, as I hadn't been following the story too closely. Awful news.

posted by evixir at 08:45 PM on January 20, 2012

Packers Coach Loses Son in Apparent Drowning

beaverboard, excellently put.

Losing a child is losing a child. The Philbin family has my sympathies for their loss.

posted by evixir at 09:47 PM on January 10, 2012

Tebow & Broncos best Roethlisberger & Steelers

Ordinarily I'd say the injuries excuse was bunk (Packers fan, thinking of last season) but Roethlisberger being injured just wrecked them last night. The Steelers just looked old, running around out there. Altitude messing them up a bit as well? Hard to say, but I don't know what the hell I watched last night. I saw it as a failing on the part of the Steelers much more than any excellent gamesmanship on the part of Tebow and crew.

(Then again, I'm pretty biased since the Packers have one of the two or three best quarterbacks playing the game right now, and yet Tebow's getting all the press -- and isn't anywhere near the caliber of Rodgers, Brees, or Brady.)

posted by evixir at 10:36 PM on January 09, 2012

Colt McCoy's Dad Rips Browns for Playing Him After Hit

Disclaimer: I didn't see the play, I don't follow the Browns, and I don't follow McCoy. But if what you're saying is true, that McCoy's on shaky footing (no pun intended) with regards to his status as the starting QB for the team, you're damn right he's not going to speak up about his concussion concerns.

But fuck, somebody's got to. Especially if even a shred of what Brad McCoy said is true about Colt's overall mental status thereafter.

And yes, it's a little embarrassing that it's his dad, but if the kid himself doesn't feel he can speak up because he doesn't want to be seen as a 'problem QB' or not a team player (which likely also played into him going back into the game -- "I'm alright, guys" even though he's dazed and confused on the sidelines) then I say it's good that someone spoke up on his behalf.

People should be talking about not only why the coach and medical staff screwed up and let him go out and continue to play after that hit, but why Colt perhaps didn't feel he could be forthcoming with coaches and staff about how badly he was injured. Earlier commenters pointed out the whistleblowing aspect of it all, and it's a great metaphor; how often do you hear about shit happening at a loved one's workplace that they themselves are powerless to address (look to the economy for reasons why)... how frustrated does that leave you, how much do you wish you could stand up for that loved one's shitty situation?

posted by evixir at 10:32 PM on December 11, 2011

NL MVP Ryan Braun tests positive for performing enhancing drugs.

This is heartbreaking to all Brewers fans. He was supposed to be the team leader going into the future, a shining example of humility and talent and confidence and sportsmanship, wrapped up in a charismatic package. If it's true, and if he loses the appeal, it's just such a disillusioning moment.

posted by evixir at 10:14 PM on December 11, 2011

Paralympian Regains Use of Legs, Changes Sports

Thanks for sharing that. It reminds me a bit of the stories you hear (fables?) of people who have been hit by lightning and go blind, get hit again and get their sight back.

(Okay, maybe it was just one story like that.)

posted by evixir at 09:16 PM on December 08, 2011

Green Bay Packers Climb to 12-0

What the hell did the Lions do to themselves in that game last night? Penalty after penalty after penalty. Schwartz has some real problem children on his hands and they're self-imploding like crazy.

Also, that Packers game was a nailbiter for a die-hard fan like me. I like the streak, but the pressure is nuts. I suppose they vastly prefer this route to the Superbowl than the route they had to take last year, but I hope they're able to maintain. They're already losing some key guys like Quarless and Starks to what could be season-ending injuries (knee sprain, ankle sprain). I'm petrified to think of who could be next.

posted by evixir at 07:26 PM on December 05, 2011

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

Meanwhile, Donovan McNabb has been released and the world continues to turn.

posted by evixir at 11:08 PM on December 01, 2011

SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle

Suh gets 2-game suspension from NFL, and naturally appeals.

If he loses the appeal, can they tack on another two game suspension for being a compounded dumbass?

posted by evixir at 09:43 PM on November 30, 2011

Ryan Braun wins NL MVP award

Huzzah for Braun on this one -- kid worked hard and played well all season. Very richly deserved.

posted by evixir at 10:02 AM on November 24, 2011

Tebow Completes 2 Passes in Broncons Win

I didn't even watch the game but it sounds like at least Cassel has the excuse of an injury to explain his day. Perhaps Tebow's completion rate is directly related to how often he takes a knee?

posted by evixir at 06:56 PM on November 14, 2011

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

I think they should spend all that airtime just showing Packer victories over the years. A very nice way to recognize a fine, upstanding football team.

posted by evixir at 06:52 PM on November 14, 2011

New York Times: Paterno's Exit Underway at Penn State

Aside from a complete housecleaning of the entire athletics department, I think the president of Penn State should follow Paterno out, frankly. He was made aware of it as well, and did nothing.

It all served to remind everybody involved how much more valued Sandusky and Penn State's rep were than the safety of the children involved.

This comes from someone who's never been a fan of college sports and how much more they're valued over the actual scholarly institution and education within. My alma mater was busted for academic fraud and hit with NCAA sanctions, so I was able to see some of that firsthand (though of course academic fraud pales in comparison to the Sandusky matter). Still, far too many were eager to keep quiet and protect the athletics department at all costs. This happens all the time and it makes you wonder how many more Sandusky-esque scandals have been hushed up to avoid precisely this sort of media freefall.

The whole thing with Penn State leaves me so angry and disgusted -- reading the grand jury report was illuminating in a completely horrific fashion.

posted by evixir at 09:57 PM on November 08, 2011

Smokin' Joe Fighting Cancer

That's heartbreaking. Diagnosed so recently and already in hospice care... that is not good. Hope they are able to keep him comfortable, at the very least.

posted by evixir at 02:16 PM on November 06, 2011

Ex ESPN Exec Commits Premature Masturbation Allegation Litigation

What would Andrews have to gain by maligning him with a false accusation? I'm annoyed she didn't take it to HR, though, especially considering what she'd been through recently. I was trying to figure out why he didn't just go to the bathroom to take care of his business, but anybody who masturbates in public gets off on the thrill of getting caught doing it. He just didn't care for her negative reaction, which is why he pulled the hierarchy card once he realized she wasn't into it. Fucking disgusting.

I hope this blows up all over the place (no pun intended) and that it follows Clinkscales wherever he goes from here on out.

posted by evixir at 10:03 PM on November 02, 2011

If your favorite NFL team was candy, they would be......

He was way too kind to the Bears and the Raiders.

posted by evixir at 05:43 PM on October 31, 2011

Brewers Blow Game 5 with 4 Errors

holden makes an excellent point. If Greinke had gotten more K's on the board, the errors wouldn't have had an opportunity to occur in the first place. He should have spiked the ball with frustration at himself after failing to throw strikeouts.

posted by evixir at 11:43 PM on October 15, 2011

Brewers Blow Game 5 with 4 Errors

Greinke may be a great pitcher, but I don't know how thrilled I am to have him on the Crew. Some might argue that his arm's the one that got us where we are now, but I wasn't impressed with the way he left the Royals. And this nugget doesn't help matters. I like Hairston a lot and clearly he's been clutch for the team, so Greinke's just an ass for making his frustration with the bloop so obvious. Ugh.

posted by evixir at 10:51 AM on October 15, 2011

Cards Answer Brewers in Game 2

And Roenicke didn't want us handing out walks to Pujols. I hope to god they walk him the rest of the series, at this rate. I guess this was a nice rejoinder to T. Plush's trash-talking of 'Alberta' earlier in the season.

posted by evixir at 10:05 PM on October 11, 2011

Brewers Beat D-Backs in 10 Innings, Advance to NLCS

That was a stressful, stressful game. Kudos to the DBacks for fighting til the end, but damn, we deserve to advance after a 29-year drought.

posted by evixir at 09:15 PM on October 07, 2011

Favre: What Took Rodgers So Long?

Lifelong Packer fan, former die-hard Favre fan, presently have absolutely no use for the guy or his words or his presence in any facet of the game whatsoever anymore ever again the end.

You've got my goddamned vote.

posted by evixir at 06:34 PM on October 05, 2011

Cowboys blow it in historic collapse

rcade, I'm sorry to inform you that specific flip his leonine hair back in a spray of water droplets move is patented by Clay Matthews. Ryan will have to come up with something else.

Perhaps a wag head back and forth like a shaggy dog spritzing crowd with droplets motion would suffice.

posted by evixir at 10:38 AM on October 03, 2011

Cardinals Beat Cliff Lee, Even Series

Man, that was a hell of a 6th inning in the Brewers/Dbacks game. Ziegler couldn't get a strike to save his life. And boy, did we take advantage.

posted by evixir at 10:35 AM on October 03, 2011

Jose Reyes Pulls Self from Game, Wins NL Batting Title

Evixir: How do you know Braun would not have sat down in the same situation?

Frankly, it's not his style. And I'm pretty sure Roenicke and several other teammates wouldn't let him get away with that sort of thing. It's fair to note that the Brewers actually have a postseason to look forward to this year, unlike the Mets, so it matters more than Braun puts forth all his best efforts to get runs as opposed to chasing batting titles and then sitting out when they're accomplished, watching his teammates try to maintain the lead without his help.

Five years from now, no one will give a crap about what Reyes did and he'll still have his name listed as the batting champ.

Brewers fans will remember!

It may be a common thing to do, but that doesn't mean I have to respect it or any of the players who do it. Reyes gets added to that list. And evidently Jeter too.

posted by evixir at 12:48 PM on October 01, 2011

Jose Reyes Pulls Self from Game, Wins NL Batting Title

As a lifelong Brewer fan and a big fan of Ryan Braun's moxie, I think this is pure and total bullshit on Reyes' part and I hope he knows that he only goes down in history as someone who cared more about the damn title than playing the game to the best of his abilities.

A real player (well, fielder, anyway) stays in when needed, goes up to bat when called, and plays the whole game unless injured. You don't pull yourself out to hang onto a fucking title.

How infuriating to know this is the sort of player who walks away with the batting title for the season.

posted by evixir at 07:14 PM on September 29, 2011

TMZ: John Lackey Divorcing Cancer-Stricken Wife

I'm bummed we're linking to TMZ-driven melodramatic news now. I don't know jack about Lackey and clearly am not a member of the Red Sox Nation, but as a baseball fan in general, I just hate this sort of crap getting in the way of the game. The texting-before-the-game bit is absolutely deplorable and I think whoever did so should be held accountable -- it's no different than the reporters who stick a microphone in the face of a family member who lost a loved one less than an hour prior and demanding some sort of soundbite. Horrible, horrible journalism.

posted by evixir at 08:17 PM on September 27, 2011

U.S. Olympian Skier Commits Suicide

That's terribly sad. Wish he could have gotten help for his demons and been able to enjoy his successes.

posted by evixir at 05:21 PM on July 27, 2011

Rangers Draft Paralyzed Outfielder

I'm with graymatters on this one. Not quite sure how to feel about it.

posted by evixir at 07:40 PM on June 08, 2011

Giants GM Bitter About Cousins

Maybe I haven't been watching enough baseball lately, but when did it suddenly become acceptable, tolerated, or encouraged to lower your shoulder and drive it into the catcher at full ramming speed? What has this sport become where this is acceptable behavior?

posted by evixir at 10:06 PM on June 03, 2011