- 08:17 AM
- 11/22/09
As a hardcore Roy Halladay fan, I have to say - the voters got this one right. Greinke was very much the deserving party here. Hernandez was also very good, but not quite in Greinke's class this year.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:39 PM on November 18
JJ, I would think it would be great to have a beer with you. We seem to have some similar perspectives. (P.S. Do you think I'm cute?)
To be honest, I don't think that you can ever relate to a person who has been clinically depressed if you never have been. Most people I talk to seem to equate it to coming down to making the right choices, and depressed people are more prone to making the wrong one - as a consequence of being depressed. But that's not it. What seems obvious (you're loved ones will miss you) to others does not present itself as a choice to make. It just seems to work it's way to being the outcome. Go right, go left. It doesn't matter.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 05:37 PM on November 12
Simmons' book convinced me that Kareem is a ninny, - but he gets a pass-4-life by virtue of being Roger Murdock.
"We have clearance, Clarence. "
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 06:07 PM on November 11
Wow. Compassion abounds.
Or not.
There is a history of depression in my family. You hard fuckers have nothing more than an opinion. Don't confuse it with understanding.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 06:01 PM on November 11
I think this idea probably warrants examination that it will never receive. I can't see anywhere close to enough consensus being built amongst the deciders to even get this tabled. It's hard to take things away, much easier to add.
For what it's worth, hockey has a similar problem. The shoulder and elbow pads went from protection to weapon more than a decade ago.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 05:57 PM on November 11
That is some freaky shit. And I'm talking about the suit.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:34 PM on November 07
I'm so performance enhanced, I'm basically metahuman. I make the TV quit.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:37 PM on November 06
Nice rcade.
"Hey Hannerhan! Susanne's a dyke! I know! I know!"
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:10 PM on November 04
I agree with Paterno personally. I've always felt that it was just as telling and effective to act like it was no big deal as to dunk the ball over the crossbar, or machine gun the other wideouts.
But that's me. Just me. It's what I like. That's all.
One of the best things about the CFL is they let the players do touchdown celebrations. Some of them are fantastic. Really fun. I think some of it's a bit bush, but these guys only get to play once a week. We want them to be full of fury and passion, but forbid it from being expressed in any way?
I think touchdown celebrations are warranted. They make sense. It's the sac dances that don't make as much sense, but I guess that's the defense touchdown celebration.
Basketball is always obsessed with it's image and the NBA constantly concerned with how it thinks it's being perceived. And the NFL seems to forget that it can be great and all billionaire-ee and still be a fucking game.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:05 PM on November 04
Utley's performance in game one is all the more impressive considering that CC hadn't given up a homer to a lefty all year.
Jeter's been called over-rated so long, he's now under-rated. So stop it. He had a helluva year this year.
Now, what's all this talk about hot balls?
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 07:01 PM on November 03
The bike vs. car wars are on here in Toronto. Lots'of bikes now in a city not really designed for it so the conflict is real and a number of bikers seem to be killed every year.
This has led to a community of ornery bikers who really do have a chip on their shoulder and have shown themselves to be as much a danger to pedestrians as drivers. The burden of safety for all involved seems to now be the sole responsibility of drivers since the bike community won't admit any fault. I was hit by a cyclist while crossing the street a month or so ago and the guy went nuts on me - forgetting of course that I was crossing with the light, while he was just blowing through it.
I don't have a car or a bike. I use the subway and walk. I hope they get more bike lanes soon, because I can't stand either of the two groups when using their respective vehicles.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 06:45 PM on November 03
This has been the Canadian MO for as long as I can remember cheering on Jamaicans sprinting with the Canadian flag on their chest.
Nationalism. Funny how it collides with the modern global reality from time to time.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 06:31 PM on November 03
Oh yeah? Hockey goes from October to JUNE. 9 month season. God, I love hockey.
And they've always played into October in baseball. Unless you're in your 60s.
******
And how good is that Minnesota O-line? Wow. Favre wasn't even harshly breathed upon. That line is making Favre look like a genius.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 06:59 PM on November 02
Really? You saw that and that's what you thought of? PETA?
They should thank their PR guys. Those guys are doing a good job.
Meanwhile, I quiver in the sight of the awesome maniness of Manu.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 07:07 PM on November 01
I was there recently for an event. The smoked duck was supernatural, baby!
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 03:00 PM on October 31
Could the NBA have managed to quash this? I'm certain they weren't excited about it, and given the snowball that starting rolling with the Canseco book and baseball, I would imagine Stern doing what he can to prevent publishing.
I read those excerpts and it's pretty damning. Not just because it points out what we already know - that superstars get favorite status and not all fouls are created equal - but how institutionalized that bias is.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:18 AM on October 31
Lighten up, Francis.
Oh no - superfluous passing in a high school game?!? Those kids might be having fun! GET EM!!
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:15 AM on October 31
This reminds me of the whole Paul Potts phenomenon. I heard his take on Nessun Dorma and thought it was fantastic. Then I went back and took a listen to Pavarotti singing the same selection.
Holy shit, Pavarotti is in a different universe. That fat man could yodel.
Since I'm never actually going to listen to this, I'm assuming a similar arrangement.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 05:46 PM on October 30
I didn't think the Howard play was even close. The first replay showed the scuff of the dirt where the ball hit in front of Howard's glove. The fact that Howard immediately went to second base is completely telling as well.
The only arguement that I can see against instant replay after this postseason is that it makes these games longer (and these games are looooooong). Buit at this point it's just getting where that can't be more important anymore. These calls are brutal.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 05:42 PM on October 30
Labels aren't on products for the sake of public safety - they're there because of liability. And they should be.
Going after deep pockets is not just a strategy employed to keep lawyers rich (though it's probably the lawyer's most important strategy), but larger fines result in more piblicity and offer a greater potential for more widespread change. Nothing changes if a big wallet isn't hit.
I.e. if Spitzer only successfully sued small insurers and brokers - who may have more flagrantly abused the system than the larger players who are under more scrutiny - we are left with likely the same system and a few small players out of business, instead of the overall that actually occurred.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 05:34 PM on October 30
I flipped channels when it was 4-1. Whoops.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:40 AM on October 30
Not to split hairs.. okay, probably to split hairs, but in order for one to be a criminal, one needs to be convicted of a crime, no?
I mean he can be a thief, liar, scumbag, etc. - but he's not a criminal. Yet?
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:39 AM on October 30
No sympathy is warranted
Oh you say that about everything.
And there's a less than subtle difference between giving someone sympathy and giving them the benefit of the doubt. I read several things in that article that don't point so declaratively at "selfish, selfish, selfish". I also recognize it as one article and not a biography.
Geez if I was constantly as sure about everything I read as you are, I'd be a complete bore.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:09 PM on October 29
Dear Universe,
Baggy basketball shorts are not reducing performance through increased drag. Though thank you - that was truly funny.
Maybe you just don't like them.
Best,
Weedy
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:02 PM on October 29
Please lord, do not allow me to hear this. Ever. I'll do my part if you do yours.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 07:57 PM on October 29
And you think this will stop people from lying to the NCAA? It seems to me that the majority of lying is done by coaches and schools - and while the fines and penalties are severe, they don't quite seem to prevent two or three revelations a year.
So no. This is not going to change anything but this guy's life.
Plus these rules are fucking stupid.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 07:56 PM on October 29
Well, he didn't technically blow through $110 Million. After taxes and fees, he probably blew through $60 - $65 million.
Also, if he's responsible for taking care of 70 people - that's becomes a considerably smaller amount of money. This is probably the source of most of his problems. Guys with $65 million can easily own three or four properties and play $15,000 hands of blackjack if they aren't spending addiitonal tens of thousands weekly keeping others fed and housed. No to mention the numerous charities that he finances.
Plus he has assets. With some large scale adjustments to his lifestyle and the selling of those assets, he should still be able to live at a level most of us would envy. But he needs a job just to keep him from spending money 8 hours of the day. If they aren't taking his homes he has a shot here. Sounds like he's not about to be calling Lenny Dykstra (who's only hope seems to be to write a book and hope people want to read about the comeupance of a total asshole).
It seems to me that Walker's chief enemies are frivolity and and an unending generosity. Bad qualities for a banker, but sounds like a nice guy.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:24 PM on October 28
I'm just surprised it was meth. Why meth? Shouldn't he have been abusing cocaine like any other self-respecting pro athlete? Meth is for hillbillies.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 12:00 PM on October 28
Oh, and it's nice to hear you again grummy. This place is better with you in it.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:47 AM on October 27
If the argument is that McRae would make a better hitting coach then McGwire because he hit for a higher average and struck out less, well I don't know what to tell you. I've never seen stats measure out to predict coaching ability.
If the argument that McRae fits the more classic definition of a hitting coach, again I'm not sure that's true. Look up Walt Hriniak's career stats some day. Or Gene Tenace. And how come Tony Gwynn, Wade Boggs and George Brett aren't hitting coaches, then?
Because none of that matters.
Oh and Mark McGwire was a different kind of hitter than McRae, but there is no one in the annals of baseball history who would ever - EVER - suggest that McRae was a BETTER hitter than McGwire.
McGwire was the better hitter.
And just so we're all clear - Batting Average is the not the best metric to measure how "good" a hitter is. OBP is much more revealing.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:32 AM on October 27
These teams are not evenly matched. The Phillies have some great hitters and a stacked middle of the order - but they don't have the same starting pitching, and the Yankees feature not just All-Stars, but Hall of Famers at key positions (lead-off, clean-up and closer). Phillies may have an advantage in the outfield, and defensively, and they'll also be able to run at will against Posada, but that's about it.
Yankees deserve to be favorites, which is a bit surprising considering the Phillies are probably better suited to win this year than last.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:21 AM on October 27
My initial reaction is that this cost him lottery pick status and could be worth as much as $25 million. Which is the difference between being picked first (with two other "franchise" QBs available, Bradford's injury would likely put him in third place on that list) and picked 16th a la Brady Quinn.
I absolutely think that a shoulder injury of this magnitude for such a young player will scare some teams off entirely. He'll be scrutinized so exhaustively that it will be surprising if he comes away unscathed.
It's too bad. I applaud the decision to come back for his senior year.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:11 AM on October 27
The Robo one is worse. How good Guererro was in day games this season is completely irrelevant. Robo misses the big picture.
However, I read more columnists than re-caps.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 04:53 PM on October 23
Ugh. What a bunch of old ladies.
And it's good that they hated each other. I think that made for more intense games and great battles. I think the games are still good these days, but the whole kissy/huggy everyone-hangs-out-together stuff is disappointing.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 06:42 PM on October 22
I'm 32 and have slept with a 24 year old. She didn't write me a letter though. And I don't have a wife. Not insignifcant details.
I'm a little surprised at the anger directed towards Phillips and the girl. They're punishing themselves enough, and I just can't seem to muster up the same response as some of the people frothing at the mouth. Undoutedly both will lose their jobs and Phillips is going to take a trip to the cleaners.
But if the lesson is don't have sex with young women when your're 40+ and famous - then what's the point of being famous?
Perhaps the lesson is - make sure they're not batshit crazy first.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 06:23 PM on October 21
I like the idea of saying "break!" when somebody wins the huddle. "Farting cow playing a mail-order banjo" may have won the entire site.
I'd say. But let's not overlook the potential in a Bill Walton/Inspector Clouseau offspring. Think of the domiant characteristics that thing would have. Thinking maybe like Luke Walton, only he'd be investigating gambling refs with ridiculous hyperbole.
"Thank you for your report, Inspector, though I have some diffculty believing that Monsieur Donaghy was "one of the five greatest criminal minds since the ABA-NBA merger.'"
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 05:57 PM on October 19
Maple Leafs. Ha ha ha. Ok. I get it. Of course they're named the Maple Leafs. They even do the misspelling and everything. So of course they're a big bunch of losers, right? Oh very funny. Go ahead - laugh away Mr. Betterhockeyteamfan. Laugh away.
Asshats! You're all a bunch of filthy asshats! I'm going home.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:35 PM on October 17
Does it bother anyone that this could just ruin Ronan Tynan? Let's face it - he could do 50 hours a week in community service at AIDS Hospices and it woldn't generate an iota of media coverage. Now he'll be known forever as a raging anti-semite for this because he has that particular celebrity that is so easy to lose with one misstep.
There's just no room for error and I'm not so sure the punishment fits the crime. Plus, we all are just insta-judges these days. It's like we have to have an opinion on something immediately upon hearing it, and it must have conviction.
I'm not suggesting the Yankees are wrong in their reaction once it got out that Ronan doesn't like to live next to Jews - but I guess I just feel a little bad for the guy now that he's going to face an onslaught for a two second encounter in the hall of his apartment building.
I too wish this would harken the end of the "God Bless America" era. It's been a decade. But the woman who sung it last night gave a rendition that was strangely moving to me. Anyway, I hope this is the last year (says the guy not from New York).
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:29 PM on October 17
Opponent: Playing Raiders Was Like a Scrimmage
TV Viewer: Watching Raiders Was Like a Root Canal.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 04:12 PM on October 16
Well... Somebody should call Doctor J, at least. Get a prognosis.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 02:35 PM on October 16
Wow - $750,000 gets you quite a bit in Cleveland. A house like that would be at least twice that here (Toronto).
I agree that you ain't getting much for Brady Quinn. Another reason why these rookie contracts are just stupifying.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:07 PM on October 14
I don't see what the Plymouth coach is complaining about. Looks like they/he just didn't know the rule well. Seems pretty cut and dried to me.
It's a good finish, but still is eons behind "The Greatest Texas High School Football Game Finish EVAR".
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 02:41 PM on October 14
Great read and a truly interesting subject. I don't personally expect any major changes to football and the inherent violence in it. They may adopt new rules, like outlawing the wedge and increasingly protect certain positions with future rule changes - but I don't see how you can make it safe by any real measure, especially if the doctors in the article are correct and it's the cumulative subconcussive impact that are probably the overall cause of trauma.
I don't even think there would be any blowback if a an ex-football player walks into a mall and starts shooting people due to his dementia. I think people will still rather have football. Right now, these guys are just turning on their immediate families or themselves, but I wouldn't be surprised if the NFL has it's Chris Benoit moment.
These guys are dying to play and dying from playing. And they're only getting bigger and faster.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:07 AM on October 13
This is the epitome of horseshit. And the Post are a bunch of pussies.
What's the end game here? Is it a secret that the team sucks and the fans are upset? What a bunch of crap.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:38 AM on October 12
Let's not forget that the Sox were straight beaten by a team that pitched better, ran better, and hit better over the three games. I get the feeling around these east coast parts, that this team was criminally overlooked. They're good and a Figgins, Morales, Hunter, Guererro core are going to be very tough to beat.
But all this pales in comparison to the Nick Aadenhart mojo. I think they beat the Yankees.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:35 AM on October 12
That was hands down the worst call can remember seeing. It wasn't even close.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 04:44 PM on October 10
Oh my god - do it. Burkina Faso represent!
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:33 PM on October 09
Conservative white males are the new minority, a maligned group with little or no sympathy from the masses.
Yep. Man, are those guys suffering.
No one does rich, fat, and entitled quite as good as Rush.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:34 PM on October 07
You don't want to see Erin Andrews naked? I mean, I don't necessarily think under these terms, but let's not be ridiculous here.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 07:15 PM on October 04
I'm all for violence in sports, but at least in hockey you can outlaw hitting and fighting until the kids reach higher levels. It's anciliary to the game. It's not the point of the game.
Without resorting to touch-only-no-tackle, I don't see how one can do the same with football.
However, the evidence is pretty clear at this point that playing football has a greater likelihood to result in both short and long-term brain injuries, physical injuries and premature death - then, say, playing virtually every other sport. The only other one I can think of is boxing.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 05:48 PM on October 01
I would have thought this was relatively obvious for anyone who isn't cashing an NFL paycheque.
Next Vince McMahon is going to let us know that the studies are ongoing to determine if there is any link between professional wrestlers, steriods, painkillers, recreational drugs, and early death however conclusive proof (that would indicate corporate liability) has not been found.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 05:35 PM on October 01
Yep - that's my take. It's a bit ironic - but the sentiment seems honest.
Does rub me wrong though. Can't quite put my finger on why. Perhaps it's the public display, or the pouring of the booze onto his shirt, but I find some bad taste here.
Have to say, I would've suggested that they leave a bottle of champagne unopened and place it next to his tombstone - but perhaps others would find that just sappy.
And now I've thought more about that then I ever thought I would.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 05:26 PM on October 01
Well, I don't agree with this trip in principle because it seems a bit deceptive. I don't know if that means that the coach was on a mission from God to save their souls, or if he thought it would be a great team-building exercise, or he actually though this is a great Friday night out, so I will give him the benefit of the doubt.
I also don't live in Kentucky and can't speak to their culture, or it's oppressiveness or lack thereof, but I know that this wouldn't fly in my town. My advice to the young Kentuckians who can't reconcile the hardcore Evangelicalism is to think about possibly going somewhere else for a while and see it that works better for ya.
We're probably making more of a big deal about this then anyone involved is.
Oh, and, Evengelicals are nuts. They are. Bible prophecy, mega-churches and blow-dried preachers pointing out the damned. It's a huge joke. It just seems so tasteless to me. I read those "Left Behind" books (mostly because I was stunned that these books had sold in the millions and I had never heard of them - and I am a voracious reader) and it was sad. It was a book for people who don't read books. Just terrible.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:19 PM on September 30
Really good - but that is some weird stuff. Could you imagine trying to explain that entire spectacle to, say, an Afghan farmer?
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:36 PM on September 30
My vote is and always will be - Eastern Time Zone that isn't my city.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:32 PM on September 30
Naw... You were famous for at least 48 hours.
I think you should use the kids name, but admittedly, this is a little harder to swallow in the YouTube era, where fame and infamy are immediate and wide spread. '
However, that's a bit of an unusual play and I don't think the kid catches holy hell for it. Most of us didn't really know the letter of rule either it seems. Of course, if he keeps most of his high school friends, he'll be reminded of it weekly for the rest of his life. (I kicked a big piece of dogshit once, by accident, while wearing sandles 10 years ago. I was reminded of it again last weekend. Good guys.)
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:29 PM on September 30
It that fight is in HD - I'd think twice about getting it. Especially if you have kids in the house.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:22 PM on September 26
t's a hard, inflexible law with minimum sentencing. That's the only reason he gets this ridiculous amount of time. It doesn't fit the crime. The only good here I see is if it reminds some big time pro-athlete not to strap when heading out to the club. So, it will perhaps cut down on pro-athlete gun fights in public. Which is a daily peril for your kids, I'm sure.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:09 PM on September 22
I watched the Chelsea game. They looked fantastic.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 02:37 PM on September 20
Entire Wedding Party Wearing Ravens Jerseys
No accounting for taste I guess. As long as they had fun.
But whatever you do, be sure to get unnecessarily upset about it.