- 11:08 AM
- 05/25/13
Tiger Woods?
Well, I did say 'probably'.
But yeah, I'd put my money on Tebow. I wouldn't even consider them that comparable. Tiger is the greatest golfer of his generation, maybe of all time. When you're the best, people love to hate you, others worship you. But other than the bizarre falling apart of his marriage, he's basically Michael Jordan; a guy talented and driven and considered kind of a dick by some people. Being dominant and driven and hated isn't that uncommon.
Tebow is polarizing off and on the field. And he's become this without having much of a career at all. Tiger is polarizing, but that Tebow can be considered in the same league is pretty amazing.
I think Tebow's a bad quarterback, and I find Tebow's religious views obnoxious, but I don't hate him. I think he's just a pawn for a lot of groups. If you actually listen to him speak, he's pretty vanilla and cliched.
Now Josh Hamilton, there's a guy I can't stand...
posted by justgary at 12:34 AM on May 14
So much dislike for Tebow, it's kind of hard to believe.
And the other side says "So much love for Tebow, it's kind of hard to believe".
He's probably the most polarizing athlete alive today, so strong love/hate on either side is to be expected.
posted by justgary at 03:40 PM on May 13
Not surprisingly, the worst umpire in the majors...
There is no reason to complete this sentence.
posted by justgary at 11:42 PM on May 08
MLB: Can money buy baseball glory?
posted by justgary at 04:28 PM on May 06
From your link grum:
Similarly, in a June game in Toronto, Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia started mixing up signs to pitcher Clay Buchholz even when the Blue Jays didn't have men on base, and Sox broadcaster Jerry Remy mentioned it on the air
As I said, I have no problem with the broadcasters bringing up and discussing this type thing. Nothing in your link includes anything like I'm seeing with Morris, which is a guy that seems to be on a bit of a crusade while also trying to make himself part of the story.
posted by justgary at 04:53 PM on May 03
Have you seen The Eck on NESN?
Not much. I watch the Sox on mlb's cable package. So I get first pitch and last pitch. Nothing more. So I only get bits and pieces of him.
For what it's worth, I have no idea if Buchholz is loading the ball or not. 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.
The Blue Jays have a lot of talent, and they're in last place. There's plenty they could do to improve other than accuse the other team of cheating, and there's plenty for the announcers to discuss. I haven't heard anything from the players or managers, but as far as the announcers - bush league.
posted by justgary at 04:09 PM on May 03
I love Dennis Eckersley.
He certainly does't hold back.
posted by justgary at 03:04 AM on May 03
Blue Jays announcers vs. Red Sox announcers in the case of whether Clay Buchholz is throwing spitballs. Not clear to me why actual Jays' players aren't complaining.
Morris admits he has no proof, yet won't shut up about it. Why not just tell the Blue Jays staff and let them deal with it? I'm guessing (and hoping) because he knows the Blue Jays would rather get out of last place before throwing around accusations.
Morris: "Funny thing, the way the game is played today. In our generation, every player, every coach would have seen it..."
Translation: "I'm old".
posted by justgary at 12:18 AM on May 03
Napoli crushes two pitches yesterday against Blue Jays.
posted by justgary at 04:53 PM on May 02
Memories of Monica Seles' stabbing and how it changed a career
posted by justgary at 03:27 PM on April 30
Tim Tebow won't be a starter in CFL, Montreal Alouettes GM says
posted by justgary at 03:13 PM on April 30
A number of teams every year struggle to put up points conventionally
Yeah, that's what I was basically saying.
We're assuming Tebow would be good at this type role, but maybe he's not. He gained weight and supposedly was slower last year (as requested by Jets). He also got injured.
Even if he's not going to play QB he brings a circus, and I just don't see a good team taking the chance on what at this point is only 'possibilities'. That probably means the Patriots sign him tomorrow.
posted by justgary at 01:31 PM on April 30
The A's held Josh Hamilton night during last night's Angels - A's game in memory of his dropped pop-fly last year. He was cheered at every at-bat, and even received free candy from the fans. He then went 0-8 with 3 Ks (1 rbi).
For the year so far Hamilton has struck out 32 times in 104 at-bats. He's hitting .202, OBP .246, SLG .298. Rough start.
posted by justgary at 01:26 PM on April 30
A new low for the New York Jets
posted by justgary at 12:37 AM on April 30
I think teams are afraid to bring Tebow in because of the media circus, not because they think it's impossible for him to contribute.
I agree with this. If teams believed Tebow was a starting QB in the NFL, I think at least a few would ignore the media circus and give him a chance. But since most probably don't view him in that light, they're not willing to take the chance for a backup quarterback. Probably unfair to Tebow, but I can understand why teams are hesitant.
He should be somebody's second- or third-string quarterback, or in Jacksonville a quarterback with a chance to earn the starting job. He shouldn't be completely out of the league already.
I think he at least deserves the chance to compete. As I said, I wish he WOULD get the chance. I'd rather see a definitive answer to 'can Tebow be an NFL QB' than debating it here.
I think Tebow's fame is kind of a double edged sword. He probably doesn't get as much credit and press in 2011 if he's a no name, and yet the fact that he's Tebow probably hurts his chances of just being able to try out somewhere because of the circus that would follow.
and Tebow would sell 3,000 to 5,000 extra season tickets and put the Jaguars -- the team with the smallest geographic region and lowest marketing sales -- on the map.
I can only guess they must be really down on Tebow. If he's terrible, I don't think the marketing angle works long term. It seems like if they had any thought he could be a decent QB they'd at least look into it. They seem so dead set against it.
posted by justgary at 12:05 AM on April 30
Just to clarify, I'm not claiming Tebow is without talent. And I think he could be a decent QB for a very specific team. You'll need a team with a very good defense, because Tebow isn't going to light up the scoreboard, and you're going to need a team with a very good running game, because Tebow is not going to be successful throwing the ball down after down.
There were times he was effective with the Broncos, especially earlier in the year, but the team fit him well and the league wasn't ready for him. As the season went on, he became shakier, and the Patriots pretty much gave a seminar on how not to let Tebow's specific talents hurt you.
I honestly believe if Tebow had a solid game against the Patriots more teams would have given him a chance. That's probably unfair based on one game, but I don't blame them for looking elsewhere for a quarterback.
posted by justgary at 10:15 PM on April 29
I wouldn't throw the word "definitely" around so casually, Skip.
I can play the lottery and claim I definitely won't win. I could, of course. But I'm not uncomfortable with saying I won't.
You might be right. Maybe almost every single statistic that shows him to be terrible is misleading, and maybe the fact that not a single NFL team seems to believe he's a viable quarterback just proves GMs can be shortsighted. But I doubt it.
Do you have anything other than the "he just wins" mantra his fans often repeat that leads you to believe he'd even be a decent quarterback?
Yeah, 'definitely' is probably overstating my case, and as I lamented earlier, we'll probably never know because I'm doubting he ever gets the chance. But just in case he does get the chance, I've put my stake in the ground. I'm not sure what claiming he 'could' be bad really says, other than you didn't see the same Tebow I did in 2011.
posted by justgary at 10:02 PM on April 29
A hybrid FB/TE, special teams guy, who could occasionally throw a pass would be an interesting asset to have. Kind of like a wildcat+ scenario where you could run two-back sets with no quarterback...
Wasn't that the thought going into last season though? That defenses getting ready for Tebow (he's a quarterback, no, he's a running back...) would have a nightmare getting ready for it?
I just don't see offenses putting the effort into what you're describing unless the results were huge, and I don't think they would be. For a mediocre offense, sure. But for a good to great offense to spend the time figuring out how to use Tebow, I just don't see it.
posted by justgary at 07:13 PM on April 29
They could have been bad with Tebow, too
I don't think many in the NFL thought of Tebow as being a viable quarterback until the Steeler game. And then suddenly his stock seemed to rise. I still, as I said in that thread, believe that game was an anomaly. The Steelers, instead of forcing Tebow to go up and down the field, dared him to throw long, which is something he's not terrible at.
I don't think Tebow 'could' have been bad with with Jacksonville, I think he definitely would have been awful. Still, I wish he'd gotten the chance, just to hopefully put an end to the 'We'll never know how good Tebow could have been' which seems to now be the most likely scenario.
posted by justgary at 06:22 PM on April 29
GIF of Yu Darvish's consistent delivery
posted by justgary at 08:50 AM on April 28
Three 12oz beers.
Yeah, first thought... what beers?
posted by justgary at 02:37 PM on April 21
Jose Bautista's One-Way War with Umpires
posted by justgary at 09:55 AM on April 10
Probably already linked, but just in case:
posted by justgary at 09:48 AM on April 10
Curt Schilling's claim in 2008 that a member of the team's medical staff raised the possibility of treating his injured shoulder with a performance-enhancing drug was "completely baseless," investigations conducted by both the Boston Red Sox and Major League Baseball concluded, according to two baseball sources with direct knowledge of the investigations.
posted by justgary at 11:45 PM on February 08
The "he died doing something he loved" thing always struck me as slightly flawed insofar as
It's flawed for me because no one comes back after dying and says 'well, it was worth it, I wouldn't change a thing'. We're just guessing.
This "pushing the limits" behavior, even when it doesn't result in a tragic death like in this instance, is also causing many young people everywhere to seriously injure themselves, or worse.
Is it? Based on what? Young people are naturally uninhibited anyway. They're gong to be crazy no matter what they see. Reminds me of when Beevis and Butthead took all references to fire out of the show. Pure silliness.
I think every dangerous sport owes it to itself to look at the potential for injury, but I sure hope they don't base it on what kids might try because of it.
posted by justgary at 05:59 PM on February 01
Everything else being equal, it's better to die doing something you loved than die doing something you hated. But it's better than both to do something you love and not die.
I'm certainly aware I can't speak for the dead, and we comfort ourselves with the "he died doing what he loved" cliche, but 25 is so incredibly young. It's difficult to believe that if he had the option of living to an old age and finding something else he loved he wouldn't have chosen that over dying doing this.
I could be very well wrong. Maybe this is the only way he felt alive, but I think a lot of people that make such a claim never really believe it'll happen to them.
posted by justgary at 11:59 PM on January 31
That's pretty awful to watch.
posted by justgary at 03:26 PM on January 30
Yeah, Payton is a god in New Orleans.
posted by justgary at 12:41 AM on January 23
So is there any action he could take that would redeem him in your eyes, to the point that he would be allowed to talk about his belief in a faith that emphasizes forgiveness and redemption?
I think 'faith' today emphasizes no gay marriage, poor people feel entitled, and don't take our guns more than forgiveness and redemption.
I don't know him, so I have no idea if he lives a 'christian' life or not. Since I don't believe the majority that claim to be christian do, I doubt it, but I really don't know.
All I ask is if he loses the superbowl he admits that god let him down. I don't think that's too much to ask.
posted by justgary at 09:43 PM on January 21
Not surprised he decided to confess now. I don't think there were many people other than the nutty that believed he was clean, he lost live strong, was stripped of his victories. Not that much to lose anymore (ignoring lawsuits). I think that contributes to this being not that big a story. I mean, it is, but it's kind of anticlimactic at this point.
posted by justgary at 04:17 PM on January 18
Roger Clemens responds: Muchie Peachie.
posted by justgary at 06:32 PM on January 09
Add it up, and you have everything a Crimson Tide fan could want in a quarterback: The home-grown loyalty of Brodie Croyle, the overt faith of Jay Barker, the questionable judgment of Ken Stabler, all in one elegant improbable package. Now, he just needs a full-back homage to the Bear, and the boy is in business.
posted by justgary at 03:55 PM on January 08
Gaze in horror at A.J. McCarron's tattoo.
Wow, he combined 'bama boy' with jesus. So much awesome.
posted by justgary at 03:51 PM on January 08
The Eagles coach was good enough to make you hate him for how bad he was.
posted by justgary at 12:56 PM on January 01
Dickey often throws his knuckleball harder than Wakefield threw his fastball.
posted by justgary at 12:51 AM on December 16
Can't wait to hear Hamilton tell how god told him to sign with the Angels (cause, you know, angels...).
posted by justgary at 09:54 PM on December 13
Don Mattingly: Expectations unfair
posted by justgary at 01:55 PM on December 13
Youk is a great defender
I think you're overestimating his defensive ability. He was never great at 3rd, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's average or a little below at this point in his career.
posted by justgary at 01:45 PM on December 13
Sporting News ships its last print edition
posted by justgary at 10:49 AM on December 12
Miguel Cabrera Is Mitt Romney: The Tigers slugger was the candidate of old white men. Lucky for him, that's who decides baseball's MVP awards.
posted by justgary at 03:29 PM on November 17
The deals for Reyes and Buehrle were both backloaded and will increase dramatically. Reyes will go from making $10 million next season to $22 million in each of the four remaining years on his contract. Buehrle is scheduled to make $11 million in 2013, $18 million in 2014 and $19 million in 2015.
Wow, 22 million a year for 4 years? Got to hand it to the jays, they're all in.
posted by justgary at 11:13 AM on November 14
Buster Olney: The early 2013 @BovadaLV World Series odds: Detroit 6-1, Yankees 7-1, Giants 10-1, Nats 12-1,TEX 12-1,Angels 12-1, PHI/STL/CIN/ATL all 14-1.
posted by justgary at 04:32 PM on October 29
Leyland let the season get away from him by using a lefty specialist to face righthanded batters with the season on the line and good righthanded pitchers available to him, with nothing to be gained by doing so. It was the first egregious managerial mistake of the World Series, and when Scutaro delivered the RBI single that gave the Giants a 4-3 lead they preserved in the bottom of the 10th, it was the last.
posted by justgary at 03:23 PM on October 29
Sense of family central to legacy of legendary trainer Emanuel Steward
Sad. His name brings back memories of when boxing mattered, and was pretty exciting.
posted by justgary at 10:55 AM on October 26
and his pitching motion is awful- he looks like someone's grandpa trying to pitch through the pain of arthritis.
Yep. His pitching motion from the side looks like a guy that use to pitch and is coming back for an old-timers game.
posted by justgary at 10:52 AM on October 26
Mariano Rivera thinking retirement
posted by justgary at 06:25 PM on October 25
(fixed score)
I'm curious if Zito will be able to continue his success next year. And I guess that's the last we'll see of Valverde barring an emergency.
posted by justgary at 02:09 PM on October 25
That's good. It saves me explaining that by the letter of the rule, you were wrong then and you're still wrong.
It did save you time. Because I've already heard your reasoning and found it unconvincing and short-sighted the first time. No need for a second thread with the same debate. We disagree. Completely. I think it was a terrible call. You think it was the correct call. It's going to stay that way.
I can only assume you want the rule changed.
Definitely. I think the call was incorrect, AND the rule should be reworded. The umpire made the call, in his words, when the infielder raised his hands. That's all he took from the play. If the umpires are in agreement that he made the right judgment on the call, then the rule should be changed so that in a similar play where the call isn't needed, it isn't called. If the umpires are incapable of making a judgment call that results in a better game, the rule book should be clearer on the topic.
I surprised anyone takes the job.
Major League Baseball umpires get around $120,000 when they start out in the big leagues, and senior umps can earn upwards of $300,000. Between spring training, a 162-game schedule, and the postseason, being an MLB ump is a job that takes up most of the year. They are, however, well cared-for while on the road. Each ump gets a $340 per diem to cover hotel and food, and when they fly, it's always first class. Working a full postseason can tack on an extra $20,000, plus expenses. They also get four weeks of paid vacation during the regular season. These guys hang onto their jobs, too; on average, there's only one opening for a new big league ump each season.
Sounds like an awful job (that a lot of people want and no one leaves). Honestly, I think most umpires do a good job. But there's no accountability; the fact that Angel Hernandez still has a job shows that. And I was someone that never wanted replay. But the game is simply beyond umpires at this point, and I'm for it now.
Though, if you want to assume the only explanation for supporting the call is bias and use it as an excuse to hate the Cardinals and umpires, I'm fine with that. After all, I hate those guys.
I don't know if I'd call it bias. MLB umpires admit mistakes when video makes it clear, that's about it. In a judgment call I doubt you're going to see anyone break ranks. As for MLB officials, they're already got flack for a single game elimination, admitting a call was botched during that one game would be a nightmare.
I think success (and perhaps postseason familiarity) breeds contempt...
Yep. Everyone hated Yankee fans, then the Red Sox won, and everyone hated Red Sox fans, even more than Yankee fans, because unlike Yankee fans, Red Sox fans didn't have a history that backed their obnoxiousness. In other words, Red Sox fans were acting like Yankee fans, without anything to back it up.
But I don't think Cardinal fans will every reach that level simply because St. Louis isn't the media centers NY and Boston are, where the Yankees and Red Sox are pushed down everyone's throats even when they suck.
While the Braves would have had a better chance of winning with the bases loaded and one out in that situation, the effect of that call is probably not as great as people seem to want to think.
I don't believe that, however. The Braves hurt their chances more than the blown call, and they probably still would have lost. But, we will never know. The reason I hate the call is not because I have a rooting interest at all, but because I want to watch a great game. And the only thing that call accomplished is getting in the way of what should have happened (much like an inadvertent whistle in football).
posted by justgary at 08:18 PM on October 22
you should also add MLB and every umpire with whom I spoke. Just for balance.
Wait, you're telling me MLB and other umpires agree and support... other umpires? In a judgment call? What else you got for me? Clemens former Yankee teammates think he's innocent? Republicans still think invading Iraq was a good idea? (Your opinion of Major League Umpires is obviously much higher than mine.)
I've already over explained why the call was ridiculous and I'm not going to rehash it here, and any argument, honestly, that begins with umpires 'you spoke to' isn't exactly persuasive. Funny though.
My point was not whether the call was correct or not, but that Cardinal fans didn't seem to even want to discuss the call, as if even the discussion took focus off the vicory. Of course, I'm not talking about YOU, other Cardinal fans, away from you...
Also, I think when you disrupt a game by endangering the players with a shower of debris and put yourself in the possible position of earning a forfeit, you deserve ridicule.
Not a Braves fan, not defending them, not pulling for them. Simply trying to find someone to pull for using whatever I got.
posted by justgary at 10:35 AM on October 22
I do get defensive, though, when listening to talk from all over seeming to assume the Yankees are in horrible trouble. They're aging and have holes, but are still capable of competing and winning. I definitely think they'll look to improve, though.
The Yankees still have a hell of a lot of talent. I think after this year, they have more question marks than usual, but far less than the Red Sox. The Red Sox have a clean slate, but that's meaningless unless they make good decisions, and its been a while since they've done that. I'm sure they'll (NY) be fine, and chances are in the playoffs again next year. When that happens it will be interesting to see how they do when compared to this year. The Yankees are never boring.
As far as A-Rod, there were some even at signing that questioned the length of the contract. But in fairness to the Yankees, I don't think they thought he'd be this injury plagued, nor that the PEDs would put a downer on the career HR chase. Teams like the Yankees and Red Sox can afford better than other teams to sign players to long contracts knowing they're going to get less for their money at the end. But I think even the top spenders are rethinking that strategy.
posted by justgary at 12:13 AM on October 22
Giants, because I have no particular hate on for either team, and a tie in that situation goes to whichever team hasn't been to the World Series for longer.
If the Red Sox and Yankees are out, I have to search for reasons to root for a team. I generally go with the longest since last WS win route. But I make exceptions.
I thought I would pull for the Cardinals because I thought it would be cool to see them win it without Pujols. But then the infield fly rule happened in Atlanta, and suddenly I saw Cardinal fans everywhere claiming there was nothing wrong with the call, and making fun of Braves fans for being upset (as if Cardinal fans wouldn't have complained in the same situation). And I just saw the Giants starting pitcher claiming 'god' was on his side, so yeah, Detroit it is (please don't piss me off Tigers).
posted by justgary at 12:02 AM on October 22
Would rather see Giants and Tigers, but I'll take anyone but the Cardinals winning it again, which probably means they have an excellent chance.
posted by justgary at 04:25 PM on October 21
World Series-bound Tigers gather at ballpark, insist, 'We'll be ready'
posted by justgary at 02:57 PM on October 21
Cards play as if they'd rather sight-see in San Francisco
posted by justgary at 08:05 PM on October 20
Retired NASCAR driver Dick Trickle dies of apparent self-inflicted wound
Pain cause of Dick Trickle's suicide