- 01:25 AM
- 12/02/08
| Member since: | October 12, 2005 |
|---|---|
| Last visit: | September 24, 2008 |
Venicemenace has posted 7 links and 520 comments to SportsFilter and no links and 51 comments to the Locker Room.
Why don't you (bleeping) block somebody, Gonzalez. A superb Joe Posnanski column from the Kansas City Star. As Bill Simmons writes, "It's incredibly hard to make a column work this well, with this much detail, when you only have 850 words."
posted on December 28, 2007 - Go to the detail view for this result
24-Hour-A-Day Drama With #24 As Kobe Bryant sits out his third straight practice with allegedly tired legs, the trade speculation is off the charts in LA. Ironically, the holder of the league's only full no-trade clause asked for a trade a few months back; recently, owner Jerry Buss suggested he'd be amenable to trading Kobe. Is there any chance that the Lakers will actually trade their most popular player since Magic? Moreover, is there an end in sight for the staggering variety of Kobe melodramas that seem to consume every Laker season?
posted on October 17, 2007 - Go to the detail view for this result
Patriots Caught Taping Jets Defensive Signals, May Lose Draft Picks ESPN is reporting with some confidence that the Patriots have been found guilty of videotaping the Jets' defensive signals during Sunday's game. Commissioner Goodell, who never misses an opportunity to make an example of a transgressor, is said to be ready to strip the Patriots of draft picks as punishment, although the team will first be allowed to present a defense at a closed hearing. What repercussions might this cheating incident have on the Patriots and the league as a whole?
posted on September 12, 2007 - Go to the detail view for this result
Billy Donovan's Magical Payday On the heels of back-to-back NCAA titles, he turned down the Kentucky job and apparently decided to sign a long-term extension with Florida. But now, for upwards of $36 million over 6 years, Billy Donovan is headed for the NBA's Orlando Magic, according to the Orlando Sentinel and ESPN.
posted on May 31, 2007 - Go to the detail view for this result
Gary Sheffield seeks The Calmness The Tigers' newest slugger has a new book out. He takes swings at the Yankees ("the Corporation"), Joe Torre ("an owner's manager"), racism in baseball, steroid accusations and more in an interview with ESPN.
posted on March 16, 2007 - Go to the detail view for this result
Millen out as Lions president, GM Detroit fans, your wish appears to have finally come true.
posted by BornIcon at 10:20 AM on September 24
New Stadiums: Prices, and Outrage, Escalate But even as fans of the Mets, the Yankees, the Giants and the Jets look forward to state-of-the-art stadium architecture, better sightlines, wider concourses and more bathrooms, some of them are also facing startling increases in ticket costs during a serious economic downturn.......The Giants Mara offered a blunt lesson in market-driven economics on WFAN radio this month. We have 130,000 people on our waiting list,-- he said. We could charge anything and still fill the stadium.--
posted by tommytrump at 09:35 AM on August 27
We get the $5 tickets in the view section to see the Angels
Not a bad seat in that stadium, either. I've sat all over and always had a good view. I could go without some of the Disney-esque pageantry, but the Big A is always a good value.
As for Lucas Oil Stadium, it raises an interesting issue. While the fans are not being squeezed by PSLs there, it's worth noting that the state of Indiana and city of Indianapolis ponied up north of $700 million to construct the stadium. In essence, the construction was paid for not just by the fans' taxes but by the taxes of everyone in the state. The Jets-Giants stadium is being built with private financing and PSLs. Doesn't it seem a bit more fair to levy the cost on the people who will actually flock to this stadium and claim the best tickets?
posted at 09:45 AM on August 27
9 year old with a 40 mph fastball, gets the boot. I'm not sure what to make of this. On one hand I can see the punishment for being very good. On the other hand they allowed him to either play a different position or go up to the next level. I really dont know what to think about this but I have a 9 year old who I think could hit him :)
posted by firecop at 01:14 AM on August 26
I did a little google searching and found an article from a local paper, the New Haven Register, that describes the situation with a bit more detail than the wire story, as per usual. Here's the link:
(Tried to link it using HTML tags, but the remainder of my original comment got deleted. Yarr)
Here are some passages from the story that struck me:
"Parents are angry. There are lawyers involved. Conflicting and wild accusations are flying. The adults are fighting over the kids."
"The fighting started this week when Coach Wilfred Vidro refused a directive by league officials"
"Parents posted brightly-colored signs and many wore handpainted T-shirts with sayings such as, Lets be fair, its all about the kids,-- Theyre only kids,-- and Let Jericho Pitch.--"
"Noble said they cancelled the game for fear the adults bickering would create an unhealthy environment.--"
"She said league officials came to their house about five months ago to recruit Jericho, who also plays in another league. "
This is not a Harrison Bergeron issue of political correctness - Jericho was already in another league and was drawn into this situation by the very league that now seeks to expel him; meanwhile, the coach and parents have declared war on the league, which is why this was brought to our attention in the first place. It seems very evident to me that all the problems that have arisen are the direct result of willful and obnoxious adults. If we take at face value that Jericho Scott is a superlative pitcher when compared to the beginners in the New Haven league, it's pretty evident that he should move up to face stiffer competition. You'd think that could have been handled quickly and quietly to everyone's satisfaction, but instead this has escalated into legal cases and front page stories; a battle over a PLAYOFF for nine-year-old baseball players.
I lump them all together in this indictment - the adults in this story (a) recruited a nine-year-old for an introductory league (b) plunged into intrigue regarding what team the kid would play on (c) issued fiats regarding his playing time from above without moving towards an actual solution to the issue (d) willfully refused said fiats, leading to more drama (e) staged protests and counter protests at the site of a little kids' baseball game (f) dissolved a team as a high handed power play (g) got lawyers and reporters involved, splashing this poor kid's name across ESPN.com and hundreds of other media outlets.
This entire situation, which should never have arisen and once it did arise, could have been handled in one simple meeting. Instead, all the so-called grownups in the scenario are acting like spoiled babies. Fucking ridiculous.
posted at 04:02 PM on August 26
Liukin wins gold, Johnson silver in gymnastics BEIJING - Nastia Liukin won the gold medal in women's gymnastics Friday, beating teammate and friend Shawn Johnson. Liukin, whose father was a double gold medalist for the Soviet Union 20 years ago, finished with 63.325 points, more than a half-point ahead of Johnson, the reigning world champion. Johnson finished with 62.725. Yang Yilin of China won the bronze medal.
posted by knowsalittle at 01:51 AM on August 15
The new setup actually goes you one better on user numbers, it tells you the actual date a user joined. But my understanding is that the numbers have been preserved and are on their way.
Nastia Liukin was absolutely amazing. Johnson is also fantastic. The two of them put on a clinic. It was really fun to watch.
posted at 09:29 PM on August 15
Jason Lezak's Unbelievable Freestyle Relay Swim The final leg of the men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay may be the most stunning achievement thus far in the Summer Olympics. American Jason Lezak entered the pool a half-second behind Alain Bernard of France, who had said earlier that they would "smash" the Americans. Only 46.06 seconds later, Lezak touched 0.08 seconds before Bernard to claim the gold -- the fastest anchor leg ever by 0.73 seconds. See the video.
posted by rcade at 07:05 PM on August 12
While I've oft bitched about network sports announcers' propensity to focus on storyline instead of just calling the game/race/match, I actually thought this worked out amazingly well. Going into the race I wasn't that invested in Phelps' quest for 8 golds and the shit talking from Thorpedo and the French...just seemed like more network hype. As the race went on I thought it was unfortunate that Phelps was going to lose out on a gold because the French team was just too good, but that's why getting 8 golds is so tough. Then when Lezak made his move, I just started freaking out. My poor downstairs neighbors...
Despite all the hype, there were so many cool elements to this story, it actually lived up to the advance billing. Phelps' quest for 8 golds continues, Lezak delivers one of the finest Olympic performances I've ever seen (and the look on his face on the medal podium was awesome), and FIVE relay teams broke the previous world record!
posted at 10:05 AM on August 12
Cheating Eight Year Old Player banned from an Under 10 tournament for 'receiving instructions' from her father through a headset.
posted by owlhouse at 06:50 PM on July 24
This time Belichick has REALLY crossed the line!
posted at 07:15 PM on July 24
Jason Taylor Traded to Redskins After losing two defensive ends to season-ending injuries on the first day of camp, the Washington Redskins traded a second-round and sixth-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for defensive end Jason Taylor.
posted by rcade at 07:50 AM on July 21
In theory, this is a great pickup, but haven't the Redskins been disappointed time and again by big-name veterans who prove to be creakier than advertised? Absent that history, I'd commend the Skins for getting Taylor on the cheap - he's an awesome player - but I have to wonder if this isn't just another Dan Snyder Special.
posted at 01:36 PM on July 21
TigerTown could win ESPN'S search for TitleTown! Could Massillon, Ohio be the winner in ESPN's quest for the one city to call Titletown? With submissions like these, and others as well, could Massillon top them all once again. Here is some more history of the Tigers, oops I mean T-I-G......E-R-S.
posted by jojomfd1 at 10:53 AM on July 21
Not to take anything away from the proud Tigers of Massillon, but this whole "competition" is a disgrace. How can ESPN just take Green Bay's nickname and squire it around the country, much less "award" it to some other town?
posted at 01:31 PM on July 21
It was very ugly for Uggla NEW YORK -- They cheered the legends. They cheered the hometown heroes. They cheered the old owner. They booed the commissioner, booed Terry Francona and Billy Wagner, even booed Sarah Jessica Parker. But towards the merciful end of The All-Star Game That Would Never End, the Yankee Stadium Bleacher Creatures had energy only for one chant: "Hit it to Uggla."
posted by knowsalittle at 10:24 PM on July 16
The fans did a lot of booing IMO...what happened to enjoying a friendly exhibition?
posted at 11:25 PM on July 16
Joe Buck Prefers Bachelorette to Baseball Fox's lead baseball announcer told ESPN's Colin Cowherd yesterday that he prefers watching The Bachelorette to watching baseball. "These games take forever," Buck said, "by the time you get through the sixth inning, if you're watching every minute, you've put two-plus hours into the thing. ... From our own perspective the Saturday Game of the Week ... is not as special or unique as it used to be."
posted by rcade at 10:30 AM on July 03
You give him grief for targeting Joe Average, but that's exactly what national announcers are supposed to do -- make the game accessible for anyone who tunes in, not fill it with obscure trivia and stories just for diehards. I do think this is true to an extent - I suppose if I was hired to announce the MLB playoffs, the producers would end up yelling at me to dumb down my commentary because the hardcore fans are going to watch regardless, and let's not alienate the channel surfers with cockamamie terms like "VORP." So it's not all on Buck that nationally-televised games have such insipid announcing. That doesn't explain the idiotic "insights" of Tim McCarver, however. While I certainly see your point, fraze, it doesn't change the fact that for those of us who follow the entire sports season and watch every game of the playoffs, the announcing becomes more tiresome and repetitive with each game...which may be part of what Buck is complaining about. Bad announcing is driven by the market. Doesn't change the fact that it is still bad announcing. I mean - Jesus. If you're gonna skip sports for another television program, or admit that you do on the radio, can you at least watch/namecheck something good like The Wire?
posted at 03:25 PM on July 03
Joe Buck Prefers Bachelorette to Baseball Fox's lead baseball announcer told ESPN's Colin Cowherd yesterday that he prefers watching The Bachelorette to watching baseball. "These games take forever," Buck said, "by the time you get through the sixth inning, if you're watching every minute, you've put two-plus hours into the thing. ... From our own perspective the Saturday Game of the Week ... is not as special or unique as it used to be."
posted by rcade at 10:30 AM on July 03
I loathe Joe Buck's announcing and this is just more fuel for the fire. Since his broadcasts are always tailored to the disinterested, casual fan, it's no surprise to learn that he, too, is a disinterested and casual baseball fan. In my mind, the most frustrating aspects of national baseball broadcasts are the terrible announcing, interminable commercial breaks that frequently overlap with gameplay, and nonstop product placement and network promotions, with slow gameplay coming in a distant fourth. I have begun listening to most nationally-televised games on the radio, where I won't be subjected to small-minded banter and idle speculation about what might happen if this guy gets a hit, and then the game might be tied up, and then OH MY GOSH the hitter who hates this particular pitcher might come up with the game on the line, and what drama that would be!!! Stop speculating on what MIGHT happen to maximize the drama, and just call the game as it happens! Joe Buck pointing out that baseball broadcasts aren't what they used to be isn't the issue, although his horrendous hegemony over big games is clearly part of the problem. Quite frankly, I don't really care if he watches games constantly in his free time, as long as he keeps up with the sports he announces through one of the many media options we have these days. But for the national voice of MLB to declare publicly that he prefers The Bachelorette, of all things, to a baseball game? That's appalling.
posted at 12:31 PM on July 03
AFI names its top 10 sports movies Two boxing movies "Raging Bull" followed by "Rocky" at the top. Also two baseball movies in top 5.
posted by graymatters at 12:23 PM on June 19
You're not a tool, Major League rules. It's definitely better than Jerry Maguire. Hats for Bats.
posted at 12:48 PM on June 19
AFI names its top 10 sports movies Two boxing movies "Raging Bull" followed by "Rocky" at the top. Also two baseball movies in top 5.
posted by graymatters at 12:23 PM on June 19
I love that Breaking Away is on the list, but I was disappointed to see that Field of Dreams and The Natural aren't; I'd take those two over either of the baseball movies that made the cut.
posted at 12:35 PM on June 19
Ring it up! Celtics crush Lakers for 17th title There were legendary Celtics sitting in the stands, with names like Russell, Havlicek, Heinsohn, Maxwell, Ainge, and White, who could all tell stories about the days when they touched the NBA championship trophy, sprayed champagne on each other, and watched Red Auerbach proudly puff on a victory cigar. After a 22-year wait that included the retirement of Larry Bird, lots of lean years, and the death of Auerbach, the Celtics have new legends named Pierce, Allen, and Garnett, who now can tell their stories about touching the trophy, spraying champagne, and wishing Red were here to witness it.
posted by BornIcon at 05:29 AM on June 19
I think we're simply looking at different criteria. You're looking at what the media (notorious front runners and masters of the obvious) had to say about the finals matchup, specifically. I'm looking at the season as a whole, a season in which the Celtics were considered the front runners and the best team in the NBA throughout the season, as well as looking at the attitude of the local L.A. fans. I don't doubt that the people you talked to might have favored the Celtics, or at least harbored reservations about the Lakers. However, I followed this NBA season pretty closely and I really do not recall any point at which the Celtics were favored to win the title. Hell, even Bill Simmons took the Lakers in 6 over the C's in his pre-playoff preview. To try to get a sample of what LA fans were thinking before the Finals began, I perused a few blogs: "Lakers win the NBA championship in five" "Lakers win it in either five or six games" "I expect the Lakers will win" "I'm having a hard time deciding between Lakers in 5 or 6" "When it comes down to it, the Lakers have the best player on the floor (Kobe), the better coach (PJ), similar balance up and down the roster. They've beaten a running team, a physical team and a championship team, showing along the way they can win in a variety of styles. To make a long story short, right now they're the better team. Not by a ton, but by enough. Lakers in six." (In my browsings I also found this amusing slideshow with "celebrity" picks. Kristi Yamaguchi took LA, what more evidence do you need???) As for your contention that the Celtics were favored in preseason, I don't think that's supported by evidence either. Am I allowed to cite ESPN for this one? The vast majority of their panel took Chicago and Detroit over the Celtics as Eastern favorites. Chad Ford was the only one to pick an Eastern team to win it all and he chose the Pistons. As I recall, the knock on Boston was that they were supposed to be terrible beyond the Big Three. Cjets, I don't doubt that you and your circle of Laker fans might have seen the Celtics as favorites all along, favorites going into the playoffs, or favorites going into the Finals; I have no possible way to disprove this. But I simply don't see any evidence to suggest that your take reflected popular opinion, however it might have been measured. I never claimed to be speaking for CJets and his Laker Fan Posse. But it seems pretty clear that the Celtics weren't the favorites here by any other measure.
posted at 11:48 AM on June 19
Ring it up! Celtics crush Lakers for 17th title There were legendary Celtics sitting in the stands, with names like Russell, Havlicek, Heinsohn, Maxwell, Ainge, and White, who could all tell stories about the days when they touched the NBA championship trophy, sprayed champagne on each other, and watched Red Auerbach proudly puff on a victory cigar. After a 22-year wait that included the retirement of Larry Bird, lots of lean years, and the death of Auerbach, the Celtics have new legends named Pierce, Allen, and Garnett, who now can tell their stories about touching the trophy, spraying champagne, and wishing Red were here to witness it.
posted by BornIcon at 05:29 AM on June 19
Even at the end of the season, the Celtics finish with 66 wins, 9 more than the Lakers. Again, the Celtics are the favorites. I would honestly love it if you would show me in what forum the Celtics were favored to win the Finals against the Lakers once the matchup was set. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. But so far I've cited LA columnists like Adande and the admittedly lame Plaschke, a variety of national "experts" (slam them if you will but I think Henry Abbott and John Hollinger know what they're talking about), and to this I'll add the Vegas line which strongly favored the Lakers going into the series. And isn't the conventional wisdom that when two teams are evenly matched, the best player generally wins? I mean, a few years ago SI picked the Miami Dolphins to win the Super Bowl. Nothing is more laughable than the preseason preview magazines for a given sports season after the season is concluded. As for regular season records, since when do they determine the best team in the NBA? The Spurs have mailed in the regular seasons all throughout their run of success.
posted at 08:25 AM on June 19
I believe the theme song for this news story ought to be "Finally" by CeCe Peniston.