Well, let's see. The Houston Astros have the second lowest payroll in the major leagues at around $69 million. The NY Yankees have the second highest payroll at around $214 million -- roughly three times as much. The Yankees had home field advantage in the AL wild card elimination game. Guess who won? The Bronx Bombers are out again, and somewhere the ghost of George Steinbrenner wants to fire somebody. I feel your pain, Boss.
The "Stros" hopped on a plane, flew to Kansas City, and knocked off the Royals in Game One of an ALDS series the next night. Another impressive road win.
As mentioned in my previous post, the Chicago Cubs went into Pittsburgh and eliminated the Pirates in the NL wild card game. Some are saying this was not fair. After all, Pittsburgh had the second best regular season record in all of baseball. They deserved better than only one playoff game before being sent home. To which I say -- shut up. The mother of the Pirates best player, one Andrew McCutchen, sang the national anthem, the Bucs were at home in front of their rabid fans, and they still lost? Hey, who's fault is that? As was noted by a TV talking head, the Pirates have long been perennial playoff chokers. Even when they had superstuds like Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla back in the 90s, they couldn't get it done. The last time the Pirates won a World Series was way back in 1979, with the "We are family" bunch. Nevertheless, it was a road win for the Cubs.
The Texas Rangers went into Toronto and had to face Cy Young award candidate David Price. The Blue Jays have a regular murderer's row batting line-up. They led the major leagues is just about every offensive category, including home runs, runs scored, and RBIs. These guys can put big numbers on the board. But they meekly bowed out in Game One as Texas racked up yet another road win in these playoffs.
Granted, it's early in the playoffs but, if I have this right, a home team is yet to win a single game. Seems weird.
Then again, the Detroit Tigers had the third highest team payroll in all of baseball, and they finished dead last in their division. So what did they do? Bring back their obviously clueless manager, one Brad Ausmus. Hey, why not give him a hefty raise to boot? Wouldn't that be business as usual for Detroit sports teams? Look at the clown the Lions hired -- Jim Caldwell. He's making millions, despite his track record of being an utter failure as a head coach elsewhere. Don't look now, but the Lions are 0-4, and will likely be 0-5 after the Arizona Cardinals come into Motown this Sunday. Might as well give Jimbo a contract extension through, say, the year 2025. Perfect. After he's eventually fired, and he will be (even the Ford family briefly emerges from its coma every few years), the Lions could continue to pay him countless millions for doing nothing. Only in Detroit.
Not sure who won this year's WNBA title. Think it pitted Indianapolis against Minnesota. It's a pity these poor girls can't stay in college where they were stars. Because once they become pros, they totally fall off the radar screen. It's kind of like the flyweight division in boxing. It's still there, I think, but does anybody have the faintest idea who the top contenders are?
But back to baseball. Go Cubbies. You can slay the mighty St. Louis dragon. Maybe. Regardless, if Cubs' skipper Joe Maddon isn't voted NL manager of the year after what he and his team have already improbably pulled off this year on the northside -- something is very wrong.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
A game, a shame, and a name
Also an idiot, and I'll get back to that.
Well OK. The NL wild card game was just that. A single game. But it featured the Chicago Cubs taking on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Baseball fans know that the Cubbies prevailed. The Bucs are out. The northside Chitowners will go on to face the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS.
But it really is a shame, as well. If one looks back on their regular season records, they would discover that St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Chicago had the best three records in all of baseball. 100, 98, and 97 wins respectively. And they were all in the same NL Central division. Brutal.
As it turned out, the teams with the second and third best overall records both found themselves "wildcards". In a one game playoff, somebody had to go. Poor Pittsburgh. First the steel mills closed down, just recently they lost quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for a few weeks, and they don't even have an NBA team. And now this.
Yet the playoff game itself presented a couple interesting story lines. Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta was absolutely masterful in pitching a complete game four hit shutout. Along the way he plunked a couple Pirates hitters with hanging breaking balls that obviously got away from him. When a pitcher's team is ahead in a game, as the Cubs were all along, it makes no sense for that pitcher to deliberately hit an opposing batter. Sometimes these things just happen.
But after the Pirates found themselves behind and continually frustrated, it appeared as if a couple of them were just itching for a confrontation. When Arrieta came up to bat in the later innings, a Pirates pitcher drilled him with a heater. Bastardo! Conveniently enough, also the name of the Pittsburgh pitcher, a Dominican. Even in "payback" situations, which this was not, major league pitching etiquette has never allowed for one pitcher to go after another. If it was perceived that one of the pitcher's teammates was intentionally drilled by the opposing pitcher, then OK, drill somebody on the other side. But not the pitcher himself. It's unheard of. Leave it to a Bastardo.
At that, Arrieta took the waist high plunking and appeared willing to trot down to first base. But then the home plate umpire went berserk issuing warnings to both sides, words were exchanged, and here comes the mob scene. The benches emptied, and the guys in the bullpens had to stop texting and jog into the fray. As if they had the faintest clue what was going on. This never would have happened if the home plate umpire hadn't overreacted in the first place.
History has shown that even the most irate major league baseball players typically possess the fighting prowess of -- say -- the cast of Gilligan's Island. Let's just say they're not exactly a fearsome bunch.
There will always be those with short fuses and hot tempers, but one would think professional baseball players making millions of dollars would -- you know -- show a little maturity. Not always so.
Enter one Sean Rodriguez, a utility player for the Pirates. He came charging out on the field from the dugout. Let's remember it was the Cubs' pitcher that just got drilled. But Rodriguez, a Miami native, was all lathered up and wanted to get in a fight with somebody -- anybody in an opposing uniform. Like a rabid dog, he lashed out and it would take a while for him to be subdued. Rightfully, he was ejected from the game. The guys in the bullpen slowly made the long walk back to their euchre games, the subs and coaches back to the dugouts, and it would go on without further incident.
But still Rodriguez raged. This hot-headed moron decided to cuss out -- and repeatedly punch out -- a gatorade cooler in his own dugout. This guy's a 10 year veteran making millions, and he doesn't have any more self control than that? He should be medicated -- heavily.
Better yet, put him in the octagon with Ronda Rousey. Let a woman beat him to a pulp until he taps out. That just might cure him of such behavior once and for all. Did I mention moron?
Bastardo. Not sure what that name exactly translates to from the Dominican-- but somehow it seemed fitting. Regardless, like Rodriguez -- they gone.
The Cubbies and the Cards. St. Louis is a great baseball town, and the Cards posted the best regular season record. A very good team indeed. But I'm pretty sure I know who the sentimental favorite will be in this series across the country.
Well OK. The NL wild card game was just that. A single game. But it featured the Chicago Cubs taking on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Baseball fans know that the Cubbies prevailed. The Bucs are out. The northside Chitowners will go on to face the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS.
But it really is a shame, as well. If one looks back on their regular season records, they would discover that St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Chicago had the best three records in all of baseball. 100, 98, and 97 wins respectively. And they were all in the same NL Central division. Brutal.
As it turned out, the teams with the second and third best overall records both found themselves "wildcards". In a one game playoff, somebody had to go. Poor Pittsburgh. First the steel mills closed down, just recently they lost quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for a few weeks, and they don't even have an NBA team. And now this.
Yet the playoff game itself presented a couple interesting story lines. Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta was absolutely masterful in pitching a complete game four hit shutout. Along the way he plunked a couple Pirates hitters with hanging breaking balls that obviously got away from him. When a pitcher's team is ahead in a game, as the Cubs were all along, it makes no sense for that pitcher to deliberately hit an opposing batter. Sometimes these things just happen.
But after the Pirates found themselves behind and continually frustrated, it appeared as if a couple of them were just itching for a confrontation. When Arrieta came up to bat in the later innings, a Pirates pitcher drilled him with a heater. Bastardo! Conveniently enough, also the name of the Pittsburgh pitcher, a Dominican. Even in "payback" situations, which this was not, major league pitching etiquette has never allowed for one pitcher to go after another. If it was perceived that one of the pitcher's teammates was intentionally drilled by the opposing pitcher, then OK, drill somebody on the other side. But not the pitcher himself. It's unheard of. Leave it to a Bastardo.
At that, Arrieta took the waist high plunking and appeared willing to trot down to first base. But then the home plate umpire went berserk issuing warnings to both sides, words were exchanged, and here comes the mob scene. The benches emptied, and the guys in the bullpens had to stop texting and jog into the fray. As if they had the faintest clue what was going on. This never would have happened if the home plate umpire hadn't overreacted in the first place.
History has shown that even the most irate major league baseball players typically possess the fighting prowess of -- say -- the cast of Gilligan's Island. Let's just say they're not exactly a fearsome bunch.
There will always be those with short fuses and hot tempers, but one would think professional baseball players making millions of dollars would -- you know -- show a little maturity. Not always so.
Enter one Sean Rodriguez, a utility player for the Pirates. He came charging out on the field from the dugout. Let's remember it was the Cubs' pitcher that just got drilled. But Rodriguez, a Miami native, was all lathered up and wanted to get in a fight with somebody -- anybody in an opposing uniform. Like a rabid dog, he lashed out and it would take a while for him to be subdued. Rightfully, he was ejected from the game. The guys in the bullpen slowly made the long walk back to their euchre games, the subs and coaches back to the dugouts, and it would go on without further incident.
But still Rodriguez raged. This hot-headed moron decided to cuss out -- and repeatedly punch out -- a gatorade cooler in his own dugout. This guy's a 10 year veteran making millions, and he doesn't have any more self control than that? He should be medicated -- heavily.
Better yet, put him in the octagon with Ronda Rousey. Let a woman beat him to a pulp until he taps out. That just might cure him of such behavior once and for all. Did I mention moron?
Bastardo. Not sure what that name exactly translates to from the Dominican-- but somehow it seemed fitting. Regardless, like Rodriguez -- they gone.
The Cubbies and the Cards. St. Louis is a great baseball town, and the Cards posted the best regular season record. A very good team indeed. But I'm pretty sure I know who the sentimental favorite will be in this series across the country.
Monday, October 5, 2015
Lions/Seahawks and the Bonehead Files
So many boneheads in the Monday night game. Where to start?
How about Seahawk QB Russell Wilson? Yes, he's won a Super Bowl, been to another, and recently signed a bazillion dollar contract. He's also known for his mobility (as in a running threat), and has a decent arm. But make no mistake. Wilson is a bonehead.
In the contest again the Lions, RW evidently thought he was back on a fifth grade playground. He could use his athletic ability to duck, bob, weave, and make a play out of nothing. It doesn't always work that way in the NFL. Granted, the Lions are bad, but not THAT bad. Despite his occasional sensational play, Wilson still has a penchant for fumbling the football. He would do so a few times against the Lions. With the game all but in the bag, leave it to Russell to cough it up one more time and give the Lions a chance. This, on top of Wilson not seeing wide-open receivers and throwing the ball to them, instead preferring to "scramble" like a 10 year old. And let's not forget, it's was Wilson's ill-advised pass that cost the Seahawks the Super Bowl last year in the waning seconds. A bonehead indeed.
Calvin "Megatron" Johnson of the Detroit Lions has also found his way into the Bonehead Files. After an incredibly lucky twist of fate (see one of the above-mentioned Wilson fumbles) the Lions improbably had a chance to win the game as the fourth quarter was winding down. QB Matthew Stafford (a borderline Bonehead himself) had completed a pass to CJ and he was about to run into the end zone for the go ahead score. But wait a second, an inch before he crossed the goal line, Megatron allowed the ball to be knocked away by a Seattle defender. Only a bonehead could pull such a stunt.
The ball bounded into the end zone, and was deliberately batted out of it by a Seattle defender. Replays would clearly show the back judge was looking right at the play. Batting the ball out of an end zone is an infraction and a flag should have been thrown. Obviously, this back judge didn't know the rules. Bonehead. Worse yet, the entire team of officials briefly huddled, and the play stood as called. By definition, the zebras are paid to know and enforce all the rules of the game. And the whole lot of them were ignorant of the proper call? More boneheads.
In a post-game interview, some "expert" on the rules said the refs blew it. The flag should have been thrown, the team which last possessed the ball (the Lions) would have the ball again and be awarded a 10 yard penalty (or half the distance to the goal line -- in this case maybe an inch) and also awarded an automatic first down. Chances the Lions could score from an inch away on four tries? Very good. At the very least, they were in automatic field goal range to likely send the game into overtime.
Sure, the talking heads zeroed in on the officials, but they missed the point. If Russell Wilson wasn't such a bonehead to fumble the ball away, giving the Lions another undeserved chance, and Calvin Johnson wasn't such a bonehead to also fumble going into the end zone for the winning score, all of the chatter wouldn't be happening. For that matter, the talking heads would never criticize a player for being a bonehead. Their politically correct network bosses would certainly frown on that. They'll come up with stats from hell why this or that guy is "so good". The half-fullers cups continually runneth over with BS. Who's kidding who?
And last time I looked, Johnson and Wilson were amongst the highest paid players in the entire NFL. Both considered superstars. But on this night, they suffered some serious ossification between their ears. Welcome aboard the Bonehead train fellas. You have earned your rightful place. You can make $20 million or $100 million a year, but you can't buy your way out of being boneheads. Now please step to the rear. No doubt, we will have more boneheads coming on board soon. Sports is chock full of them.
An example. Yankee pitcher C. C. Sabathia just checked himself into an alcohol rehab clinic. This, on the very eave of the playoffs starting. Hey, it's not like CC just figured out he has a drinking problem five minutes ago. If he's been a drunk that long, why not hang for another month when his team needs him the most? Bonehead.
Another example. What is it with these guys that know they need off-season surgery to correct various injuries, but put it off for months? It seems many of them time it just right, so after the healing process is complete, they will have missed all the preseason camps, workouts, and practices. Presto. When the real games start, they're magically ready to go again. The true boneheads aren't the offending players, but rather the teams that tolerate this selfish nonsense. If I'm an owner and I know one of my players needs an operation, it doesn't happen when the player decides to get around to it. It happens now. He can be in camp sweating it out with the rest of the team next year.
And the most boneheaded thing of all. Signing players to long-term mega-buck guaranteed contracts. Nobody can possibly know how well even a current superstar player will perform 3-4-5-6 years down the road. Maybe his skills diminish. Maybe he suffers a career ending injury. But the team is still on the hook to pay him. How absolutely boneheaded is that?
How about Seahawk QB Russell Wilson? Yes, he's won a Super Bowl, been to another, and recently signed a bazillion dollar contract. He's also known for his mobility (as in a running threat), and has a decent arm. But make no mistake. Wilson is a bonehead.
In the contest again the Lions, RW evidently thought he was back on a fifth grade playground. He could use his athletic ability to duck, bob, weave, and make a play out of nothing. It doesn't always work that way in the NFL. Granted, the Lions are bad, but not THAT bad. Despite his occasional sensational play, Wilson still has a penchant for fumbling the football. He would do so a few times against the Lions. With the game all but in the bag, leave it to Russell to cough it up one more time and give the Lions a chance. This, on top of Wilson not seeing wide-open receivers and throwing the ball to them, instead preferring to "scramble" like a 10 year old. And let's not forget, it's was Wilson's ill-advised pass that cost the Seahawks the Super Bowl last year in the waning seconds. A bonehead indeed.
Calvin "Megatron" Johnson of the Detroit Lions has also found his way into the Bonehead Files. After an incredibly lucky twist of fate (see one of the above-mentioned Wilson fumbles) the Lions improbably had a chance to win the game as the fourth quarter was winding down. QB Matthew Stafford (a borderline Bonehead himself) had completed a pass to CJ and he was about to run into the end zone for the go ahead score. But wait a second, an inch before he crossed the goal line, Megatron allowed the ball to be knocked away by a Seattle defender. Only a bonehead could pull such a stunt.
The ball bounded into the end zone, and was deliberately batted out of it by a Seattle defender. Replays would clearly show the back judge was looking right at the play. Batting the ball out of an end zone is an infraction and a flag should have been thrown. Obviously, this back judge didn't know the rules. Bonehead. Worse yet, the entire team of officials briefly huddled, and the play stood as called. By definition, the zebras are paid to know and enforce all the rules of the game. And the whole lot of them were ignorant of the proper call? More boneheads.
In a post-game interview, some "expert" on the rules said the refs blew it. The flag should have been thrown, the team which last possessed the ball (the Lions) would have the ball again and be awarded a 10 yard penalty (or half the distance to the goal line -- in this case maybe an inch) and also awarded an automatic first down. Chances the Lions could score from an inch away on four tries? Very good. At the very least, they were in automatic field goal range to likely send the game into overtime.
Sure, the talking heads zeroed in on the officials, but they missed the point. If Russell Wilson wasn't such a bonehead to fumble the ball away, giving the Lions another undeserved chance, and Calvin Johnson wasn't such a bonehead to also fumble going into the end zone for the winning score, all of the chatter wouldn't be happening. For that matter, the talking heads would never criticize a player for being a bonehead. Their politically correct network bosses would certainly frown on that. They'll come up with stats from hell why this or that guy is "so good". The half-fullers cups continually runneth over with BS. Who's kidding who?
And last time I looked, Johnson and Wilson were amongst the highest paid players in the entire NFL. Both considered superstars. But on this night, they suffered some serious ossification between their ears. Welcome aboard the Bonehead train fellas. You have earned your rightful place. You can make $20 million or $100 million a year, but you can't buy your way out of being boneheads. Now please step to the rear. No doubt, we will have more boneheads coming on board soon. Sports is chock full of them.
An example. Yankee pitcher C. C. Sabathia just checked himself into an alcohol rehab clinic. This, on the very eave of the playoffs starting. Hey, it's not like CC just figured out he has a drinking problem five minutes ago. If he's been a drunk that long, why not hang for another month when his team needs him the most? Bonehead.
Another example. What is it with these guys that know they need off-season surgery to correct various injuries, but put it off for months? It seems many of them time it just right, so after the healing process is complete, they will have missed all the preseason camps, workouts, and practices. Presto. When the real games start, they're magically ready to go again. The true boneheads aren't the offending players, but rather the teams that tolerate this selfish nonsense. If I'm an owner and I know one of my players needs an operation, it doesn't happen when the player decides to get around to it. It happens now. He can be in camp sweating it out with the rest of the team next year.
And the most boneheaded thing of all. Signing players to long-term mega-buck guaranteed contracts. Nobody can possibly know how well even a current superstar player will perform 3-4-5-6 years down the road. Maybe his skills diminish. Maybe he suffers a career ending injury. But the team is still on the hook to pay him. How absolutely boneheaded is that?
Detroit is in trouble
Finally, mercifully, the Detroit Tigers season came to an end, They finished last in their division and only the Oakland A's posted a worse record in the American League. Things likely won't get any better next year either. Former GM Dave Dombrowski looted the farm system, their bullpen is still a train wreck, and even their aging stars are just that. Aging. The only two bright spots they have are outfielder J.D. Martinez and young catcher James McCann. Jose Iglesias? Please. He can't stay healthy for a full season, and even slugger Miguel Cabrera is showing signs of career wear and tear.
Of course, at this time of year, the local hype machine has cranked up regarding the Detroit Pistons. Don't be fooled. These guys are not good. Thing is, the Eastern Conference of the NBA is weak, with no team other than the Cleveland Cavaliers projected as being excellent. The Pistons could well make it into the playoffs, only because the field is so watered down. In they were in the Western Conference, the Pistons would be considered as plankton. It's a shame one conference has so many good teams and have to slug it out, while the other mostly consists of mediocrity at best.
The Detroit Red Wings have been impressive in their preseason. They have a few aging stars as well, a new coach, and would have their fans believe a wealth of young talent. Even two goalies that are both world class. We'll see about that. Wake me up when they get to the conference finals in the playoffs. Chances of getting that far? Likely not so good.
Who's in really deep trouble are the Detroit Lions. Already 0-3, they square off against Seattle in the formidable stadium the Seahawks call home. As roughly 10 point underdogs, it was the largest point spread of the week across the NFL. A ten point spread is a bunch in pro football.
To make matters worse, the Seahawks already find themselves trailing the Arizona Cardinals by two games in their own division. They can't afford to lose any more ground and will likely come out ferocious against the Detroit puddy tats. This game could get ugly. Then again, Seattle might be overlooking the Lions as inferior competition and open themselves up to an upset possibility. Hmm. Nah, the Lions on the west coast, much less tangling with the Seahawks? Not a chance. Give the points.
Through no fault of their own, the Lions had another bad break go their way this week. The above-mentioned and previously unbeaten Ariz Cardinals got knocked off at home by the St. Louis Rams. That wasn't supposed to happen. A seven point spread said so.
Bottom line? The Cards are likely pissed, and guess who they play next week? Yep, the Lions. They'll likely come into Ford Field and have their way with the Honolulu blue and silver bunch much like Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos did last week.
I've been saying it all along. Head coach Jim Caldwell was a good offensive coordinator under other head coaches that had built terrific teams, but when given the reins of command himself has been an abysmal failure shortly thereafter. This is his second season in Detroit, he's brought in his own staff, and instituted his own system. The Lions are 0-3, and might very likely be 0-5 in another week. If it plays out that way, it will be interesting to see and hear what JC's latest spin will be at his press conferences. So far, his "mistakes are correctable", we "need to get better", and "it's all a matter of execution" lame lines for a sorry team has enabled him to skate. That, and after all, it's Detroit, where the fans and media would rally behind Weird Al Yankovic if he was the head coach. In fact, after Caldwell is inevitably kicked to the curb, that might not be a bad idea. At least it would be fun to watch.
But all in all, Detroit professional sports appear to be in a very bad place right now, and the near future doesn't hold out much promise either.
Of course, at this time of year, the local hype machine has cranked up regarding the Detroit Pistons. Don't be fooled. These guys are not good. Thing is, the Eastern Conference of the NBA is weak, with no team other than the Cleveland Cavaliers projected as being excellent. The Pistons could well make it into the playoffs, only because the field is so watered down. In they were in the Western Conference, the Pistons would be considered as plankton. It's a shame one conference has so many good teams and have to slug it out, while the other mostly consists of mediocrity at best.
The Detroit Red Wings have been impressive in their preseason. They have a few aging stars as well, a new coach, and would have their fans believe a wealth of young talent. Even two goalies that are both world class. We'll see about that. Wake me up when they get to the conference finals in the playoffs. Chances of getting that far? Likely not so good.
Who's in really deep trouble are the Detroit Lions. Already 0-3, they square off against Seattle in the formidable stadium the Seahawks call home. As roughly 10 point underdogs, it was the largest point spread of the week across the NFL. A ten point spread is a bunch in pro football.
To make matters worse, the Seahawks already find themselves trailing the Arizona Cardinals by two games in their own division. They can't afford to lose any more ground and will likely come out ferocious against the Detroit puddy tats. This game could get ugly. Then again, Seattle might be overlooking the Lions as inferior competition and open themselves up to an upset possibility. Hmm. Nah, the Lions on the west coast, much less tangling with the Seahawks? Not a chance. Give the points.
Through no fault of their own, the Lions had another bad break go their way this week. The above-mentioned and previously unbeaten Ariz Cardinals got knocked off at home by the St. Louis Rams. That wasn't supposed to happen. A seven point spread said so.
Bottom line? The Cards are likely pissed, and guess who they play next week? Yep, the Lions. They'll likely come into Ford Field and have their way with the Honolulu blue and silver bunch much like Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos did last week.
I've been saying it all along. Head coach Jim Caldwell was a good offensive coordinator under other head coaches that had built terrific teams, but when given the reins of command himself has been an abysmal failure shortly thereafter. This is his second season in Detroit, he's brought in his own staff, and instituted his own system. The Lions are 0-3, and might very likely be 0-5 in another week. If it plays out that way, it will be interesting to see and hear what JC's latest spin will be at his press conferences. So far, his "mistakes are correctable", we "need to get better", and "it's all a matter of execution" lame lines for a sorry team has enabled him to skate. That, and after all, it's Detroit, where the fans and media would rally behind Weird Al Yankovic if he was the head coach. In fact, after Caldwell is inevitably kicked to the curb, that might not be a bad idea. At least it would be fun to watch.
But all in all, Detroit professional sports appear to be in a very bad place right now, and the near future doesn't hold out much promise either.
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Overrated things
It's official. Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers has pitched his last game for the 2015 season. The Tigers lost to the Chisox again and also officially locked up their place in the basement of the AL Central division.
Verlander is getting paid an incredible $28 million a year, guaranteed through at least 2019. I don't want to hear about early season arm problems or lack of run support. The man posted a grand total of a meager five, count-em, FIVE victories this season. That's over five and a half MILLION bucks per W. Talk about overrated.
Former Tiger Max Scherzer just threw his second no-hitter of the season for the Washington Nationals. Very impressive. Pity his record was only 14-12 this year, journeyman stats. Even with super-stud Bryce Harper (a lock for NL MVP), the Nats were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs some time ago. If you think Verlander's salary is ridiculous, Mad Max is making a whopping $35 million a year. This? For a pedestrian 14-12 record? What comes after overrated?
And nobody is more overrated than the Michigan State Spartan football team. It's almost like the "fix was in" for them to rise to #2 in the country. In preseason polls, the Sparties were somewhere around #4 or 5. Defending champ Ohio State was rightfully #1. But TCU was #2.
The Buckeyes have struggled against some teams, including just yesterday when they BARELY edged out unranked Indiana. But surprisingly, the Hoosiers haven't been too shabby, and it was a road game for OSU. Besides, the champs are the champs until somebody knocks them off.
Meanwhile, the Spartans have climbed their way to #2 by beating 5 patsies, none convincingly. The only road game they've had so far was their opener against minor league Central Michigan, which they defeated 37-24.
Many thought the Spartans eking by Oregon 31-28 the next week was a statement game. Hardly. The Ducks have proven to be terrible this year. They were subsequently absolutely hammered by Utah to the tune of 62-20. This is the same Utah team that had to rally at home to beat Jim Harbaugh's rejuvenated Michigan Wolverines in THEIR opener.
MSU, again at home, would go on to beat lowly Air Force 35-21. Then host another in-state minor league team and semi-thump Central Michigan 30-10. Hardly impressive stuff.
Just yesterday, the woeful Purdue Boilermakers visited East Lansing and after MSU had jumped off to an early lead, they would up hanging on for dear life in the fourth quarter to squeak by Purdue 24-21.
Add this all up and Michigan State is the #2 team in the country? Please. Next up they face perennial powerhouse Rutgers. Pretty please. Half their season will be over and MSU still won't have faced any decent competition.
Remember, TCU was ranked #2 going into the season. They remain undefeated as well. They went into Minnesota and beat a decent Gopher team 23-17. Then they had a patsy of their own. Stephen F. Austin. The Horned Frogs know what to do with patsies. Try 70-7. Another convincing home win over SMU 56-37, then on the road to Texas Tech. Hardly an in-state minor league opponent, TCU would prevail 55-52 in a thriller. Just yesterday, TCU walloped Texas 50-7. Next up they travel to Kansas State, a worthy opponent.
So just exactly where in those records does it suggest TCU should have fallen in the polls while MSU went up? It defies logic.
But Michigan State's day of reckoning may well come on Oct.17. They have to visit Michigan. Since their opening loss to the Utes, the Wolverines have outscored their opponents 122-14. Michigan finally cracked the Top 25, while Mich State remains at #2.
It will be interesting to see what the point spread is for that game, and even more interesting to see how it turns out. One thing's for sure. Michigan State will finally face some decent competition -- and it's about time.
More on that as it gets closer...
Verlander is getting paid an incredible $28 million a year, guaranteed through at least 2019. I don't want to hear about early season arm problems or lack of run support. The man posted a grand total of a meager five, count-em, FIVE victories this season. That's over five and a half MILLION bucks per W. Talk about overrated.
Former Tiger Max Scherzer just threw his second no-hitter of the season for the Washington Nationals. Very impressive. Pity his record was only 14-12 this year, journeyman stats. Even with super-stud Bryce Harper (a lock for NL MVP), the Nats were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs some time ago. If you think Verlander's salary is ridiculous, Mad Max is making a whopping $35 million a year. This? For a pedestrian 14-12 record? What comes after overrated?
And nobody is more overrated than the Michigan State Spartan football team. It's almost like the "fix was in" for them to rise to #2 in the country. In preseason polls, the Sparties were somewhere around #4 or 5. Defending champ Ohio State was rightfully #1. But TCU was #2.
The Buckeyes have struggled against some teams, including just yesterday when they BARELY edged out unranked Indiana. But surprisingly, the Hoosiers haven't been too shabby, and it was a road game for OSU. Besides, the champs are the champs until somebody knocks them off.
Meanwhile, the Spartans have climbed their way to #2 by beating 5 patsies, none convincingly. The only road game they've had so far was their opener against minor league Central Michigan, which they defeated 37-24.
Many thought the Spartans eking by Oregon 31-28 the next week was a statement game. Hardly. The Ducks have proven to be terrible this year. They were subsequently absolutely hammered by Utah to the tune of 62-20. This is the same Utah team that had to rally at home to beat Jim Harbaugh's rejuvenated Michigan Wolverines in THEIR opener.
MSU, again at home, would go on to beat lowly Air Force 35-21. Then host another in-state minor league team and semi-thump Central Michigan 30-10. Hardly impressive stuff.
Just yesterday, the woeful Purdue Boilermakers visited East Lansing and after MSU had jumped off to an early lead, they would up hanging on for dear life in the fourth quarter to squeak by Purdue 24-21.
Add this all up and Michigan State is the #2 team in the country? Please. Next up they face perennial powerhouse Rutgers. Pretty please. Half their season will be over and MSU still won't have faced any decent competition.
Remember, TCU was ranked #2 going into the season. They remain undefeated as well. They went into Minnesota and beat a decent Gopher team 23-17. Then they had a patsy of their own. Stephen F. Austin. The Horned Frogs know what to do with patsies. Try 70-7. Another convincing home win over SMU 56-37, then on the road to Texas Tech. Hardly an in-state minor league opponent, TCU would prevail 55-52 in a thriller. Just yesterday, TCU walloped Texas 50-7. Next up they travel to Kansas State, a worthy opponent.
So just exactly where in those records does it suggest TCU should have fallen in the polls while MSU went up? It defies logic.
But Michigan State's day of reckoning may well come on Oct.17. They have to visit Michigan. Since their opening loss to the Utes, the Wolverines have outscored their opponents 122-14. Michigan finally cracked the Top 25, while Mich State remains at #2.
It will be interesting to see what the point spread is for that game, and even more interesting to see how it turns out. One thing's for sure. Michigan State will finally face some decent competition -- and it's about time.
More on that as it gets closer...
Detroit Tigers -- cowboys and indians?
Now that the Detroit Tigers have colossally thudded from their once lofty perch in the AL Central division, and all but locked up the basement, it appears they wanted to have a little fun.
The old rookie hazing routine. Different teams in different sports go about it in different ways, but somewhere along the line, the rookies have to be initiated -- pay their dues -- as it were. Though the practice has always actually been quite childish, evidently the veteran players get a kick out of it.
But in this regard, the Tigers did something that may well be a first. They decided to play cowboys and indians. Did I mention childish?
Yessirree, the rooks were made to dress up like characters out of the old west. Assuming they did battle, no word on which side prevailed, and nothing in the news about fatalities. So we can likely assume they were playing with toy arms, much like the Tigers' bullpen this season. Ahem.
Nevertheless, it raises an interesting question. Why wasn't Al Avila part of the spectacle? Isn't he a rookie GM? His mentor, one Dave Dombrowski, likely would have howled with laughter to see AA running around dressed like Wild Bill Hiccup or Chief Spitting Bull. (Change the "p" to an "h" in that last name and it conjures up a whole different mental picture).
But while we're on the subject of spitting and bull, enter one Brad Ausmus. The Tigers' manager seems to spit every three seconds or so, and he's chock full of bull. For that matter, as a rookie manager himself last year, how come he wasn't hazed? Methinks BA would have looked good in a Calamity Jane outfit. Given how things have turned out, it would seem to have been appropriate as well.
The swoon of the Tigers in 2015 was dramatic indeed. After starting 11-2, they now find themselves 73-86, with 3 games remaining. In other words, after a hot first couple weeks, they have gone 62 -84. A whopping 22 games under .500.
Ausmus originally signed a 3-year deal and was guaranteed to be paid for the 2016 season. But many, including yours truly, thought he would surely be fired after the abysmal play of the Tigers this year. We were wrong. In his infinite rookie wisdom, the above-mentioned Al Avila has said the spitter will be back next season to run the team.
Funny, or maybe not, there was no word of BA getting a contract extension. Imagine that. But being a "lame duck" manager doesn't seem to bother Ausmus. He said he couldn't care less about such a status.
Well gee, that should be no surprise. Though it's a tightly guarded club secret, most assume Ausmus has been making somewhere in the neighborhood of $3 million a year. Three years at three million isn't the toughest addition problem to solve. Even after taxes, Ausmus will have raked in roughly $6 million take home pay as the Tiger skipper. This is on top of his major league pension as a player and whatever he made during his over 20 years in the league, both as a player and in later various capacities for other teams. It's probably a safe bet to say the Ausmus has surpassed the $20 million mark during his career.
Sure, lots of players get that for a single year these days, hence the ridiculous ticket prices to see a game. And guys like Tiger Woods, Mike Tyson, Kobe Bryant, Alex Rodriguez, and Floyd Mayweather have certainly made a lot more. That's not even to mention the upper stratosphere inhabited by such folks as Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Oprah Winfrey, Donald Trump, and nameless Wall Street tycoons.
In pure money terms, these people put Brad Ausmus to shame. Such incredible amounts of income are incomprehensible to the average working stiff.
But it's also likely a fair statement to say most folks would be tickled pink and set for life if they had earned $20 million. Ausmus may go through a lot of saliva, but he's not entirely stupid. Whether the Tigers keep him or kick him to the curb, he's already financially secure.
Still -- cowboys and indians? Is this what its come to? Has it gotten that bad? Really?
One is left to wonder what the Detroit Lions -- who play right across the street from the Tigers -- will come with for their rookie ritual. They're stinking it up -- again -- as well. FOX vs MSNBC? Those would be some interesting characters to dress up as while whooping it up and staging a mock battle. Better yet, the Republican vs the Democratic politicians themselves.
What great fun that would be. It doesn't get any more childish than that.
Hmm. Maybe cowboys and indians wasn't such a bad idea after all. At least we can laugh that off as only a joke.
The old rookie hazing routine. Different teams in different sports go about it in different ways, but somewhere along the line, the rookies have to be initiated -- pay their dues -- as it were. Though the practice has always actually been quite childish, evidently the veteran players get a kick out of it.
But in this regard, the Tigers did something that may well be a first. They decided to play cowboys and indians. Did I mention childish?
Yessirree, the rooks were made to dress up like characters out of the old west. Assuming they did battle, no word on which side prevailed, and nothing in the news about fatalities. So we can likely assume they were playing with toy arms, much like the Tigers' bullpen this season. Ahem.
Nevertheless, it raises an interesting question. Why wasn't Al Avila part of the spectacle? Isn't he a rookie GM? His mentor, one Dave Dombrowski, likely would have howled with laughter to see AA running around dressed like Wild Bill Hiccup or Chief Spitting Bull. (Change the "p" to an "h" in that last name and it conjures up a whole different mental picture).
But while we're on the subject of spitting and bull, enter one Brad Ausmus. The Tigers' manager seems to spit every three seconds or so, and he's chock full of bull. For that matter, as a rookie manager himself last year, how come he wasn't hazed? Methinks BA would have looked good in a Calamity Jane outfit. Given how things have turned out, it would seem to have been appropriate as well.
The swoon of the Tigers in 2015 was dramatic indeed. After starting 11-2, they now find themselves 73-86, with 3 games remaining. In other words, after a hot first couple weeks, they have gone 62 -84. A whopping 22 games under .500.
Ausmus originally signed a 3-year deal and was guaranteed to be paid for the 2016 season. But many, including yours truly, thought he would surely be fired after the abysmal play of the Tigers this year. We were wrong. In his infinite rookie wisdom, the above-mentioned Al Avila has said the spitter will be back next season to run the team.
Funny, or maybe not, there was no word of BA getting a contract extension. Imagine that. But being a "lame duck" manager doesn't seem to bother Ausmus. He said he couldn't care less about such a status.
Well gee, that should be no surprise. Though it's a tightly guarded club secret, most assume Ausmus has been making somewhere in the neighborhood of $3 million a year. Three years at three million isn't the toughest addition problem to solve. Even after taxes, Ausmus will have raked in roughly $6 million take home pay as the Tiger skipper. This is on top of his major league pension as a player and whatever he made during his over 20 years in the league, both as a player and in later various capacities for other teams. It's probably a safe bet to say the Ausmus has surpassed the $20 million mark during his career.
Sure, lots of players get that for a single year these days, hence the ridiculous ticket prices to see a game. And guys like Tiger Woods, Mike Tyson, Kobe Bryant, Alex Rodriguez, and Floyd Mayweather have certainly made a lot more. That's not even to mention the upper stratosphere inhabited by such folks as Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Oprah Winfrey, Donald Trump, and nameless Wall Street tycoons.
In pure money terms, these people put Brad Ausmus to shame. Such incredible amounts of income are incomprehensible to the average working stiff.
But it's also likely a fair statement to say most folks would be tickled pink and set for life if they had earned $20 million. Ausmus may go through a lot of saliva, but he's not entirely stupid. Whether the Tigers keep him or kick him to the curb, he's already financially secure.
Still -- cowboys and indians? Is this what its come to? Has it gotten that bad? Really?
One is left to wonder what the Detroit Lions -- who play right across the street from the Tigers -- will come with for their rookie ritual. They're stinking it up -- again -- as well. FOX vs MSNBC? Those would be some interesting characters to dress up as while whooping it up and staging a mock battle. Better yet, the Republican vs the Democratic politicians themselves.
What great fun that would be. It doesn't get any more childish than that.
Hmm. Maybe cowboys and indians wasn't such a bad idea after all. At least we can laugh that off as only a joke.
Friday, October 2, 2015
Roman numerals and the Detroit Lions
Though it took a half century, finally the NFL has dropped the Roman numerals from their Super Bowls. Super Bowl 50 will be just that. And then 51, instead of LI, etc. It's about time. What has been the fascination in America with Roman numerals anyway? Grandfather clocks typically have them. Due south is VI instead of 6. Due west is IX instead of 9. We've even named global conflicts with Roman numerals. World Wars 1 and 2 were WWI and WWII. Do you remember reading about any Roman legions of gladiators fighting in either? Not me.
Good grief, Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch is of Macedonian descent, but got his billions from a pizza empire he dubbed Little Caesar's. Hey, pizza was invented in the USA, not by ancient Italians named Tiberius, Claudius, or Gluteous Maximus. No ifs, ands and big butts about it.
And then there's the Detroit Lions. They haven't won a championship since MCMLVII , a full X years before Super Bowls even began. Ironically enough, this was the same year the Ford family and their auto company would introduce the Edsel. Though William Clay wouldn't take ownership of the Lions for another VI years, and they have floundered in the ensuing LII years since, it should be noted that William Clay Ford finally sealed the deal on the exact same day John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas. Tragic irony indeed, and perhaps a very bad omen for the future of the franchise.
Alas, even though WCF was mostly an absentee NFL owner, and thought to be incompetent by many all along, he recently passed on to the magical kingdom of Model A's, T's, Thunderbirds, and those pesky Pintos in the sky.
The person who now holds the reins to the Detroit Lions franchise is one Martha Firestone Ford, his widow. She checks in at the rather mature age of XC. Few would consider her a potential Cougar, but let's get real. Martha grew up in a tire family dynasty and married into a car family dynasty. What the hell did she ever know about professional football? While her son Mustang Billy is busy running the car company, MFF is left to depend on the likes of Martin Mayhew to oversee the franchise? Isn't this the same guy that has botched so many draft picks, hired a parade of clown coaches, then fired them while still owing them millions of dollars -- only to hire another loser? THAT guy? The same one that continually brings in free agent cast-offs from other teams, and paints the franchise into a salary cap corner by giving them ridiculous contracts? There's a reason these guys were kicked to the curb by their former teams, but MM has never seemed to comprehend that principle. He still thinks coming to Detroit is a magic potion that will make them superstars. Given their sorry losing culture for so long, how ridiculous a notion is that? But this is who is in charge of personnel. Martha makes an appearance once in a while. I'll bet that revs up the players in the locker room. Right.
So the Lions are currently 0-III, will likely be 0-IV after they visit Seattle next Monday night (they're a X point underdog) and then the Arizona Cardinals come a-calling for Game V. Don't look now, but the Cards are quietly one of the best teams in the entire lineup of all XXXII in the league. The Lions will likely be underdogs against Arizona even at home. 0-V is definitely a possibility for the Detroit puddy tats.
Then they get a break. A home game against the even more woeful Chicago Bears. If they can't win that game, old Martha should strongly consider selling the franchise. Better yet, to a new owner that will move it out of Detroit entirely. All the Lions have done is spout hype for the last LII years under Ford ownership, won exactly one playoff game during that entire time, never sniffed a Super Bowl, much less won it, and ripped off their gullible fans.
Want more evidence of incompetence? When the head coaching carousel was going around a couple years ago, nobody else wanted Jim Caldwell. Always slow to act, Caldwell was the only coach left by the time the Lions got around to making another decision. He has a proven record of being a good offensive coordinator under other head coaches, but has been a failure when handed the reins himself. He takes over a team somebody else built, is successful for the first year with the leftovers, then institutes his own system -- and quickly crashes and burns in his second year. Caldwell is proving the Peter Principle still rules in his second year with the Lions. The man is obviously over his head, and the Lions will likely fire him in a year or two, only to owe him millions. It's the way they roll.
But as their faithful maintain, there is always hope. Indeed there is. Perhaps in the next XXX or XL years the Lions will get to a Super Bowl. But it ain't gonna be this year.
Good grief, Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch is of Macedonian descent, but got his billions from a pizza empire he dubbed Little Caesar's. Hey, pizza was invented in the USA, not by ancient Italians named Tiberius, Claudius, or Gluteous Maximus. No ifs, ands and big butts about it.
And then there's the Detroit Lions. They haven't won a championship since MCMLVII , a full X years before Super Bowls even began. Ironically enough, this was the same year the Ford family and their auto company would introduce the Edsel. Though William Clay wouldn't take ownership of the Lions for another VI years, and they have floundered in the ensuing LII years since, it should be noted that William Clay Ford finally sealed the deal on the exact same day John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas. Tragic irony indeed, and perhaps a very bad omen for the future of the franchise.
Alas, even though WCF was mostly an absentee NFL owner, and thought to be incompetent by many all along, he recently passed on to the magical kingdom of Model A's, T's, Thunderbirds, and those pesky Pintos in the sky.
The person who now holds the reins to the Detroit Lions franchise is one Martha Firestone Ford, his widow. She checks in at the rather mature age of XC. Few would consider her a potential Cougar, but let's get real. Martha grew up in a tire family dynasty and married into a car family dynasty. What the hell did she ever know about professional football? While her son Mustang Billy is busy running the car company, MFF is left to depend on the likes of Martin Mayhew to oversee the franchise? Isn't this the same guy that has botched so many draft picks, hired a parade of clown coaches, then fired them while still owing them millions of dollars -- only to hire another loser? THAT guy? The same one that continually brings in free agent cast-offs from other teams, and paints the franchise into a salary cap corner by giving them ridiculous contracts? There's a reason these guys were kicked to the curb by their former teams, but MM has never seemed to comprehend that principle. He still thinks coming to Detroit is a magic potion that will make them superstars. Given their sorry losing culture for so long, how ridiculous a notion is that? But this is who is in charge of personnel. Martha makes an appearance once in a while. I'll bet that revs up the players in the locker room. Right.
So the Lions are currently 0-III, will likely be 0-IV after they visit Seattle next Monday night (they're a X point underdog) and then the Arizona Cardinals come a-calling for Game V. Don't look now, but the Cards are quietly one of the best teams in the entire lineup of all XXXII in the league. The Lions will likely be underdogs against Arizona even at home. 0-V is definitely a possibility for the Detroit puddy tats.
Then they get a break. A home game against the even more woeful Chicago Bears. If they can't win that game, old Martha should strongly consider selling the franchise. Better yet, to a new owner that will move it out of Detroit entirely. All the Lions have done is spout hype for the last LII years under Ford ownership, won exactly one playoff game during that entire time, never sniffed a Super Bowl, much less won it, and ripped off their gullible fans.
Want more evidence of incompetence? When the head coaching carousel was going around a couple years ago, nobody else wanted Jim Caldwell. Always slow to act, Caldwell was the only coach left by the time the Lions got around to making another decision. He has a proven record of being a good offensive coordinator under other head coaches, but has been a failure when handed the reins himself. He takes over a team somebody else built, is successful for the first year with the leftovers, then institutes his own system -- and quickly crashes and burns in his second year. Caldwell is proving the Peter Principle still rules in his second year with the Lions. The man is obviously over his head, and the Lions will likely fire him in a year or two, only to owe him millions. It's the way they roll.
But as their faithful maintain, there is always hope. Indeed there is. Perhaps in the next XXX or XL years the Lions will get to a Super Bowl. But it ain't gonna be this year.
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